Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, says
the resolve to ban open grazing by southern governors is equivalent to
prohibiting spare parts trading in the north.
Last Tuesday, southern governors resolved to ban open
grazing and the movement of cattle by foot, after a meeting in Asaba, Delta
state.
The resolutions of the southern governors have been greeted
with mixed reactions from different parts of the country.
Speaking on the development on Wednesday in an interview on
Channels Television, Malami faulted the decision of the southern governors,
saying it does not align with the provisions of the constitution.
The attorney-general said the decision “does not hold water”
in the context of human rights as enshrined in the constitution.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the
freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?”
he queried.
“For example: it is as good as saying, perhaps, maybe, the
northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in
the north.
“Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a northern
governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading
in the north?”
Malami asked the southern governors to facilitate the
amendment of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to prohibit open grazing.
“If you are talking of constitutionally guaranteed rights,
the better approach to it is to perhaps go back to ensure the constitution is
amended,” he said.
“Freedom and liberty of movement among others established by
the constitution, if by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the
better approach is go back to the national assembly to say open grazing should
be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the
constitutional amendment.
“It is a dangerous provision for any governor in Nigeria to
think he can bring any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to
move around.”
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