The Advanced People’s Democratic
Alliance (APDA) has urged the Federal Government to opt for establishment of
grazing reserves as a strategy to address herdsmen/farmers clashes.
The National Chairman of the
party, Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, gave the advice in a telephone interview with
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Shittu said that grazing reserves
would promote peace between farmers and herders and boost the economies of
states.
He urged the government not to
consider creating cattle colonies which, he said, were alien.
“We hear of a plan by the Federal
Government to create cattle colonies where herders can breed their cattle to
stop clashes.
“We advise that the government
should rather establish grazing reserves not only to achieve peace but to promote
development in states.
“Cattle colonies are alien to our
Constitution. Some people might take the word “colony” to mean dominance or
occupation.
“Grazing reserves can be used by
all herders whether they are Fulani or not, and it can go a long way to boost
the economies of states,” he said.
He urged the government to let
states know the economic value of grazing reserves, particularly its impact on
food security.
Shittu condemned the recent
killings in Benue, Taraba and some other states but advised that the killings
should not be attributed to all Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.
He said that trans-border
criminals might be hiding under Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on innocent
Nigerians.
Shittu said that cattle’s rearing
was a viable business all over the world, and that Nigeria could earn much
forex from it.
He urged the government to toe
the line of Botswana and the Netherlands earning huge revenues from cattle
export though massive investment in cattle breeding.
On the 2019 elections, Shittu
told NAN that the party had begun preparations to succeed.
He said that although the party
was new, it had presence across the country and would do well in the elections.
“It is wrong for anyone to see
APDA as a party that can’t dislodge the APC.
“Membership makes a party, not
the name. We have members, name and the drive to contest, win and move the
country forward.
“We are stepping up preparations
including aggressive drive for new members, APDA will bring the real change,
APDA will move Nigeria forward,” he said.
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