FG says South Governors’ ban on herdmen like placing ban on Igbo spare part dealers- FG
Malami says ban illegal
The Federal Government has condemned the banning of herders from grazing in the 17 Southern States.
The Nigerian authority said the bam is like asking Igbo people not to sell spare parts.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami spoke on the ban saying it restricts the freedom of movement of the herders.
Ironically, the Northern State Governors had in February this year banned open grazing in the 19 Northern States.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday Malami said the ban by Southern Governors was discriminatory.
Malami said, “It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?
“For example: it is as good as saying, perhaps, maybe, the northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the north.
Speaking further Malami said “Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the north?
According to him if you are talking of constitutionally guaranteed rights, the better approach to it is to perhaps go back to ensure the constitution is amended
“Freedom and liberty of movement among others established by the constitution, if by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is to go back to the national assembly to say open grazing should be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment” Malami said.
He said the decision of the Southern Governors is illegal.
“It is a dangerous provision for any governor in Nigeria to think he can bring any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around.”
