Afenifere Backs Southern Governors’ Ban On Open Grazing

• “Afenifere felt that although the declaration by the governors ought to have come long before now…”

Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has said it is in support of the ban on open grazing announced by Southern Governors on Tuesday.

In a communique issued on Friday at the end of a meeting held in Ogun State, the group also reiterated its call for restructuring.

The Governors announced the ban on Tuesday after meeting in Delta State.

They also called for President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation over the state of insecurity.

Read also: ‘I Expected Long-Term Solutions’ – Ndume Faults Southern Governors’ Ban On Open Grazing

“Afenifere is in total support of the decision of Governors of the 17 states in Nigeria banning open grazing of livestock in any of the states that they control,” the Afenifere communique said.

“Afenifere felt that although the declaration by the governors ought to have come long before now, given the atrocities that have arisen from open grazing, it is better late than never.”

The Afenifere communique added that “despite various steps taken and appeals made by state governments and communities, herders continue to graze their cattle on farms of our people.

“When the farmers tried to protest, they (the farmers) are harassed, maimed and sometimes killed. Our female folks are raped. This is a very important reason for the need to completely outlaw open grazing with severe penalties for any violator.”

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On restructuring, the group said it was “delighted” that the idea of restructuring as a mechanism for preventing the breakup of Nigeria “is becoming more popular and winning converts on a daily basis.”