Nobody Can Oppose Buhari Over Cattle Rearing - Igbo Senator

Abuja - Sen. Ogbinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi
Central) said nobody or group could oppose
Federal Government in its bid to establish
cattle ranches across the country to stem
clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Ogba told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday
that whatever decision the government took
would be in the best interest of the country
as it would ensure that there was peace.
He spoke at the backdrop of reported
rejection by the herdsmen of the
government’s plan to establish ranches and
their insistence on having grazing reserves
and routes
instead.
``This issue is a very serious issue that
needs serious attention.
``It is not whether they want it, what is
important is what does the Federal
Government want to do to ensure the safety
of the Nigerian people.
``If the government does not do it and
succumb to allowing the herdsmen to
determine what happens, it will not augur
well for the country.
``The Federal Government should put its
feet down and find a lasting solution to the
problem whether it favours the herdsmen or
anybody at all.
``What is important is what will be done to
guarantee the safety of the populace,” he
said.
The senator added that grazing reserves or
routes was just another way of sustaining
the violent attacks and the reprisals.
On a purported bill to establish the grazing
reserves which is said to be in the House of
Representatives, he said that he would not
support such a bill if it came to the Senate.
``I have not seen the Bill and I do not think
any senator will mention such thing on the
floor of the senate,” he said.
The public hearing at the Senate on
Tuesday, the Association of Cattle Rearers
(Miyetti Allah) refused the government’s
proposal to establish cattle ranches.
They insisted on having grazing routes and
reserves. However, representatives from
other geo-political region backed
government plan to establish ranches.
At the hearing, the Igbo group represented
by Ohanaeze Ndi’Igbo, said that the
herdsmen should be responsible for the
establishment of the ranches and not the
government.