By: Valentine
Adese, Alfred Saiki and Chizoba Nnabugwu
Since the issue
of grazing reserves and ranching policies were made public by the Federal Government
and the subsequent adoption allegedly by 19 northern state governors, the
relation between citizens in the Middle Belt and their state governments have
been on the constant dispute line.
The public
statement released earlier that the 19 northern state governors and their administrations
have signed a document at a particular meeting, agreeing to provide lands for
grazing reserve or ranching policies without prior consultation with those that
elected them to office, had sparked the initial reactions in the six states of
the Middle Belt, who are making efforts to have independence from the north.
The issue had
also rocked the relationship between the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon.
Simon Lalong and the Governor of Benue state, Ortom, who out rightly rejected
the policy after town hall meetings and consultations with his people . The
governors had exchanged bitter words, countered each other, with allegations
and denials on the issue.
In Plateau
state, the long awaited names of local government areas and the names of the
chiefs who gave out lands for that purpose is still hanging, as there are fears
that the indigenous people to the local government areas are expressing hidden
actions.
Just recently the
people of Langtang North had expressly stated that they are not giving any inch
of the land for the grazing reserve policy but, for the ranching policy, they
are prepared to study the document in order not to mortgage the future of their
people especially the Taroh youths and the state at large.
You would recall
that the Berom people in the northern zone had earlier rejected both policies
for whatever it may worth.
In Kanam Local
Government Area, the Deputy Speaker through the weekend has come under fire for
saying he is supporting the ranching policy since his people have accepted
it.
As at the time
of filing this story this morning, the Plateau state government led by Rt. Hon.
Simon Lalong, is still finding it hard to convince its citizens and has
therefore taken to media platforms in the state to drive home the importance of
the policy.
On the political
scene, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its elected political office
holders have boldly come out to reject the policy. They have also called on
their supporters and loyalists to also reject same.
You would recall
that at the eve of the recently celebrated democracy day in the state, the All
Progressive Congress and the Governor had promised to abandon the policy
immediately the people show rejection.
“So, what and
why is the APC administration led by Simon Lalong pushing this policy as if it
is their creation? The state is under heightened security alert immediately
after the anti grazing reserve protest. You can see policemen at every distance
and major junctions in the city capital.
“Or, could it be
because of the alleged N5 billion that the Federal Government promised to give
to any state that adopt the policy that the APC and Lalong want to mortgage the
future of the people?” Pundits in the state ask.
Culled from Reality
Newspaper
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