The outgoing Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has called on members of the National Assembly to remain vigilant and resist what he described as ‘last minute attempts under whatever guise’ to pass a bill that seeks to deprive Nigerians of their God-given lands in favour of herdsmen across the country.
Governor Ortom’s call was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Terver Akase which was sent to Africa Today News, New York on Tuesday.
According to Ortom, he finds it curious that since 2016, the Presidency has sent the grazing reserves bill to the National Assembly bearing different names, and despite the public outcry, it is not giving up the idea of having the bill passed.
‘If the current administration had concentrated on tackling insecurity in the manner they have pushed for the enactment of a cattle grazing reserves law, the country would have been safer for every Nigerian.
‘In November 2016, the Senate rejected the controversial bill seeking to establish a Grazing Management Agency which was to ensure the creation of cattle grazing areas across the country.
‘In 2017, the Federal Government again tried to influence the passage of a bill adorning the same regalia which was called National Grazing Routes and Reserves Bill. That bill was similarly rejected following the alarm raised by some patriotic Nigerians.
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‘The government subsequently introduced the National Water Resources Bill which also came with a singular objective of bringing all water sources (surface and underground) and river banks under the control of the Federal Government, a move that attracted an avalanche of condemnations from Nigerians.
‘The Federal Government introduced Ruga, Cattle Colonies and several other programmes, all aimed at creating settlements for pastoralists in all the states of the federation. It is on record that Governor Samuel Ortom was the first to speak out against the draconian bills.
‘In August 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari approved recommendations of a committee to review “with dispatch, 368 grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, and to determine the levels of encroachment.” Again, Benue and other states rejected the presidential approval and the idea eventually lost steam.
‘We understand that those who are bent on taking over the ancestral lands of Nigerians to give to pastoralists are looking for the opportunity to hastily pass the bill which they have now renamed as National Grazing Reserves Council Bill. The proposed law has been in the National Assembly after it was reintroduced, and its sponsors, sensing the mood and suspicions of the people, have been trying to find the right moment to have it passed,’ Ortom’s statement partly read.
The governor was of the firm view that if passed by the National Assembly, the law will establish a Council with the powers to take over land in any part of the country for grazing reserves and pay ‘compensation’ to the land owner(s).
He claimed that pastoralists, whose animals will have unrestricted access to the property, will benefit from the seized territory.
He believes that the National Grazing Reserves Council Bill violates both the Constitution and the Land Use Act and that it also represents a fang of subjection, impunity, and a pervasive agenda of conquest against Nigerians.
According to Ortom, the law is a direct land-grab intended to turn Nigerians into slaves while advancing the narrow-minded and egotistical interests of herders.
For the benefit of future generations, the governor asked National Assembly members to work in the best interests of the country’s unity and future by becoming true representatives of the people.
He encouraged the federal lawmakers to remain dogged in their rejection of the bill and any other surreptitious attempt to mock millions of innocent Nigerians who have fallen victim to the occupation agenda.
Ortom emphasized that his stand on national issues is borne out of patriotism and not for any personal agenda or gain, adding that he believes in fairness, justice and equity.