NewsNigeriaPoliticsNigerian Senate Divided Over Bill Banning Open Grazing

A proposed bill aiming to ban open grazing and establish ranches in Nigeria caused division among senators in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West Senatorial District, who argued that the ongoing clashes between farmers and herders could be resolved through the legislation.

“Now is the time to adopt international best practices in animal husbandry. Now is the time to bring about a law to stop open grazing. It is old fashioned, hazardous, burdensome and must be discarded,” argued Zam.

The bill, titled “A Bill to Establish a National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches throughout Nigeria; and for Connected Purposes, 2024”, passed its second reading despite some opposition, especially from northern voices.

Some senators, including Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, Senator Barau Jibrin, Senator Adamu Aliero and Senator Kawu Sumaila, supported the bill. However, they expressed concerns about a clause stating that ranches should be established in the pastoralists’ state of origin.

On the other hand, senators like Senator Mohammed Goje, Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman-Kawu and Senator Adamu Aliero opposed the bill, stating that it would infringe on the constitutional rights of herders and breach the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, protocol on the free movement of persons and property.

“The bill is totally against the constitution of Nigeria. The bill will even compound the problem of the herders and the farmers,” said Kawu. “You can’t propose a law to attend to a particular group or section of the country only, This bill is not holistic and we will fight it till the end.”

Despite the strong disagreement, the Senate ultimately passed the bill for a second reading, which allows for further debate and amendments before a final vote.

However, while the deep divisions suggest that reaching a consensus will be challenging, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged for a calm and informed discussion, recommending a public hearing to ensure a comprehensive review of the bill.

“We must hold a public hearing and bring all the stakeholders to have a say, including cattle rearers and the state governments,” Akpabio stated.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Judiciary and Legal Matters for further review.