The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group has reacted to the passage of the anti-opening grazing law in Oyo state and other southern states, describing it as ‘satanic’ and ‘politically motivated,’ adding that it would sue Governor Makinde and other governors over the law.
The group’s National Secretary, Selah Alhassan, told newsmen that legal paperwork was being done and the governors who had signed the ‘hateful’ bill would hear from their lawyers.
He said, “I think such laws are not meant to engender peace in our nation because they are hateful, politically motivated and satanic. We don’t see anything good in such laws. While they are at it, God will not allow them to succeed, because these herders are innocent. They are also victims of insurgencies. I see the government playing politics with all these things, and the politics is not working for them. It is a process, not a one-man stream.”
He also called on the Federal Government to wade in and “call these governors to order (sic) before they destroy the economy because they want to make laws.”
“We are all Nigerians so we call on the Federal Government, particularly Mr President and the National Assembly, to wade in and caution these governors because we cannot destroy an economy because you want to make laws. If you are doing anti-open grazing laws in Lagos, are there cattle grazing in Lagos? Those cows you see in Lagos are for sale. States like Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa and to a larger extent, Ogun, don’t need to have any anti-open grazing law; what they need to do is regulate their abattoirs and their cattle markets. But, when you gang up and create laws against an economic group, there is nothing you will achieve.”
Reacting to Miyetti Allah’s move to challenge the anti-open grazing law in court, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, said the state government was ready to defend the law.
Omotosho, in an interview with newsmen, said the law was a product of due diligence with the interests of all relevant stakeholders put into consideration.
He said, “They are free to challenge the law. It is their right. I don’t know what they have against the law and the basis of their challenge. But the courts are there to determine such matters.
“This is a law made to clean up a filthy space and the interest of Miyetti Allah and everybody was considered before the law was made. Due process was followed; there was a public hearing; there were consultations. The law is solid and well made. If they serve us, we will be there to defend it.”
Similarly, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, said there was nobody restricted from challenging the law.
He said, “The reason for the creation, existence and indeed, indispensability of the courts in any society is for situations like this.
“Not every legal effort reasonably deserves to suffice; yet, all deserve space in the court. So they are free to challenge the law. Even the southern governors had advised anyone who felt strongly against the anti-grazing law to approach the court.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government said it would be preemptive to react to Miyetti Allah’s threat to challenge the passage of the anti-open grazing law in court.
The State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, had on Thursday signed the anti-open grazing bill passed by the state assembly in August into law.