The bill seeks to give the Federal Government of Nigeria control of all resources accrued through water on the surface or in the ground across the country.
The Badagry Traditional Council headed by the Oba Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has described the proposed Water Resources Bill as an affront and deliberate attempt to encroach into their ancestral land and heritage.
The bill seeks to give the Federal Government of Nigeria control of all resources accrued through water on the surface or in the ground across the country.
Many Nigerians have kicked against the bill, alleging that it is a plan by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to seize land for Fulani herders. Buhari is of Fulani extraction.
This was made known during a press conference by the royal fathers at the palace of the Oba of Badagry on Tuesday, presided over by De-Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyin, the Oba Akran of Badagry.
The council resolved to resist any form of land grabbing by some persons or group of persons or by the Nigerian government through legislation.
HRM (Dr.) Oladele Fayemi Kosoko, who spoke on behalf of Oba Akran said there are tons of inconsistencies and contradictions in the proposed Water Resources Bill with the existing judicial pronouncement and provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution.
The monarch who rejected the reintroduction of the Water Resources Bill being considered by the House of Representatives stated that the reintroduction of the bill reveals the desperation of some political elements who are keen to invade and encroach into ancestral land and heritage.
He said, “The bill is an affront and a deliberate encroachment of our ancestral land and heritage though we are not unmindful of its brazen disregard to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(as amended) and also contempt of the court in the face of a judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction.
“It is noteworthy that there are tons of inconsistencies and contradictions in the proposed bill with existing judicial pronouncement and provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
According to him, the bill is to serve the interest and purpose of Fulani herders in the country.
The monarch, therefore, urged the lower chamber of the National Assembly to drop the bill.
“We also kick against any delineation and boundary adjustment without recourse to the provisions of the law. We want Nigerians to be aware of the executive rascality through brazen disregard for the rule of law and judiciary.
“We will also like the general public to know that this legislation is a template for arms strive as it will be a conquest for resource (natural) control; land and water. Instance shall be the insurgency promoted by a quest for control of Lake Chad around Lake Chad basin,” the king added.