365Daily – The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has faulted the ban open grazing by southern governors, saying it is unconstitutional.
He made this known when during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today Programme on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, where he also urged the Governors to make the changes they seek legal through Constitution amendment.
The southern Governors announced the ban of open grazing as part of measures to address incessant violent clashes between farmers and herders in their domains. Their position was backed by their northern counterparts a few days after the announcement was made.
However, Malami said the decision of the Governors “does not align with the provisions of the Constitution, hence it does not hold water.”
He likened the decision to ban indiscriminate movement of cattle across the southern part of the country for grazing to banning the sale of spare parts in the north.
In his words: “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.
“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?”
“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 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.
“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,” he said.