Skip to main content

Nigeria Won't Know Peace If Southern Governors Ban Open Grazing—Fulani Group

GAFDAN’s National Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the resolution as unfortunate and capable of affecting Nigeria’s unity.

A Fulani group, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association, has warned against the decision of the Southern governors to ban open grazing in their states.

It explained that a ban on open grazing in Southern states would lead to a breakdown of peace between Northerners and their neighbours from the South.

Image

The group described the resolution as unfortunate and capable of affecting Nigeria’s unity, Daily Post reports.

On July 5, the Southern governors, during their meeting in Lagos State, unanimously agreed to ban open grazing in their region.

The governors gave a deadline of September 1 for the ban to take effect in their respective states.

Reacting, the GAFDAN’s National Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the resolution as unfortunate and capable of affecting Nigeria’s unity.

Abdullahi said the resolution was impossible because they have not made an alternative plan for herders.

He stated that the decision of the governors would promote hatred between Southerners and Northerners.

He was quoted as saying: “If you stop open grazing in the South, you are simply saying that those people should move to the North or they should move to other parts of the country. What happens if those in the North also ask the Southerners to leave?

“Are we promoting unity or hatred? What the governors are saying is practically impossible and it does not promote the unity of this country.

“You don’t stop people’s means of living and expect peace to reign. So, the implication is that the unity of Nigeria is going to be in question.

“You don’t expect those that will be affected to return to the North and live in peace with people from the South living in the North.”

Topics
Insecurity