Senate President, Akpabio on Open Grazing Ban: “Cows Are not Nigerian Citizens!”

In a significant move to address the nation’s insecurity challenges, particularly the farmer-herder conflicts, the National House of Representatives engaged in a heated debate over the issue of open grazing.

During the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio asserted that cows are not citizens of Nigeria, igniting strong reactions from Northern senators who opposed the proposed ban on open grazing.

Akpabio’s remarks highlighted the deep-seated tensions surrounding the issue.

The contentious bill, introduced by Senator Titus Zam, seeks to ban open grazing nationwide, advocating for ranching as a solution to the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers. Proponents of the bill argue that it would promote agricultural stability and reduce violence.

However, Northern senators, including Danjuma Goje and Adamu Aliero, contended that the bill infringes on the rights of herders, primarily from the northern region.

They argued that the proposed ban would negatively impact their livelihoods and cultural practices.

Despite the opposition, Akpabio stood firm, reiterating that cows do not possess constitutional rights. “Cows can come from Niger, Chad, or anywhere,” he stated.

The bill was ultimately passed and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Legal Matters for further review.