Any Attempt To Recover Grazing Routes Will Be Resisted – Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State says the governors in the South West would resist any attempt by the Federal Government to recover grazing routes in the region.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on August 19 ordered the review of 368 grazing routes across 25 states across the country.

Speaking during the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit on Monday, governor Akeredolu stated that the issue of grazing routes is stale and should be disregarded.

The Ondo governor added that recovery of grazing routes in the South will not be accepted, adding that the anti-open grazing law enacted in the region is still in effect.

Akeredolu said: “Speaking for those of us who have put in place anti-open grazing law. We have our reasons and we have no apologies. Grazing routes? Grazing routes to where? It is not going to work.

“There are things we had in the past. Don’t let us imagine it now. Time changes. Grazing with AK 47 is an assault. Ban on open grazing, we are doing it effectively in Ondo state.

“Nomadic pastoralist is not a new thing. There were nomadic farmers all over the world. I know of people, high ranking who have ranches today. They can showcase their cows.

“Why are we pushing these people out. It is a culture that must be discouraged in the interest of those who are involved. Even with the president’s order that anyone with Ak47 should be arrested, how many have been arrested?”

Speaking on the security situation in Ondo, Akeredolu said the state is not battling terrorism but farmer-herder clashes and kidnapping.

He added: “In Ondo state, we don’t have terrorism. Our problem is farmer/herder clashes and kidnapping for ransom. We have drug abuse and agitation for self-determination,” Akeredolu said.

“We have always preached multi-level policing in Ondo State. We believe in layers of security.

“Yes, you have trespassed. Criminal trespass on other people’s land or farm. It falls within the purview of matters that should be treated by the state.

“But, all we had before Amotekun was a police system that had the duty to arrest and was not prepared to make an arrest. Things are changing and have really changed in Ondo state.”