By Idris Saidu

365Daily – Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has scolded the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,  over his comments on Southern Governors Forum’s ban on open grazing in the region, saying his utterances betray a terrible mindset.

He was responding to Malami’s statement that the ban on open grazing was could be likened to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country.

Malami had said in a television appearance that the decision of the Governors was unconstitutional and would need a Constitution amendment to effect it.

In a personal response contained in a press statement issued on Thursday, May 20, 2021, in Akure, Akeredolu said it was ‘most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate.’

He said: “Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to the harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.

“Comparing this anachronism, which has led to the loss of lives, farmlands and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.

“Mr. Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the Laws of the respective States banning open grazing and decision of the Southern Governor Forum taken in the interest of their people. We shall be most willing to meet him in Court.

“The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour.”