- Says Ranches Commission Bill targeted at relocating Fulani herders to states of origin
By Abiola Olawale
Nigeria’s Senate Deputy President, Jibrin Barau, has raised an alarm on a clause in the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission bill before the Senate.
Barau strongly opposed the bill, describing it as targeted against Fulani herdsmen across the country.
The New Diplomat reports that the bill, sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam, from Benue State, seeks to ban open grazing and establish ranches for herders in the country.
During the plenary debate, Barau expressed concern that the passage of the bill into law would contravene the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
He noted the potential violation of the right to choose residence, emphasising that individuals should not be deprived of their preferred place of living.
According to him, the bill, if allowed and passed into law, is targeted at relocating Fulani herders, wherever they are, to their various states of origin.
He said: “There is a snag in this bill, there is a problem because you cannot stop any Nigerian from living in any area that he so wishes.
“The relevant section of the Constitution has been read. I saw something just a few days ago: Senator Natasha visited a Fulani settlement in her senatorial zone.
“Those people do not have any home except that place. They have been there for so long. They have been part and parcel of that society. Now, to tell them to move to their state of origin, where is their state of origin?
“Now, for us as political leaders, I would like you to look at that. Who is the current Senator of FCT? She is a Yoruba native, but she has won the election here. Nobody told her to return to her state.
“I won my first election in Tarauni Federal Constituency to the House of Representatives in 1999 from Kano Central, but I am from Kano North. Nobody told me to go back to Kano North. So why do we now tell herders to go back to their states of origin?
“My friend, Zam, understands that this does not align with our Constitution; your bill is good. I like this bill, but this aspect should be removed. We should remove it. I advise my friend, Senator Zam, to stand this bill down for a consultation, for better drafting, so that it goes in consonance with our Constitution.
“Mr President, I will tell you some of these Fulanis, if you ask them where their state of origin is, they have even forgotten; they look at themselves as Nigerians.
“We should address the issue to reflect wherever someone is, it’s his place, and he can do his business there. So, Mr President, I advise this bill to be stepped down for further consultation.”
However, Barau’s vigorous attempt to defeat the bill was unsuccessful, as the majority of legislators approved the bill during the voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The bill, having passed a second reading, was committed to the relevant Committee for a public hearing.
