The Association of Cattle Breeders in the country, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 said that Fulani herdsmen have a right to move freely and conduct their lawful business across the nation’s landscape.
The association was reacting to the directive by Governor Ayodele Fayose banning nomadic cattle grazing in Ekiti State.
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Governor Fayose gave the order in response to an attack on Oke-Ako in the state last Friday by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
However, a former national president of MACBAN, Alhaji Bello Ardo, said there are areas in Ekiti and other parts of Nigeria that have been gazetted by the federal government as designated areas for cattle grazing.
“He does not have the authority to ban cattle-grazing in Ekiti. Fulani will challenge it in court,” Ardo said.
“He does not have any right to ban designated grazing areas in Ekiti; there are grazing areas all over Nigeria and those grazing areas are gazetted by the federal government.
“He does not have the right to say that Fulani cannot rear cattle through the forests; we are going to challenge this in court.
“We are only just hearing the news but very soon, we will challenge it appropriately,” the former MACBAN leader added.
