The Benue State government recently rejected the planned implementation of Ruga settlements proposed by the Federal Government for some states in the country. In this piece, Aviashima Toom examines the controversy thrown up by the proposal.
After few months of a seeming ceasefire between the Benue State government and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, there seems to be another round of tension brewing.
The current crisis is over the alleged forceful seizure of acres of land in the state for the proposed Ruga settlements, which the state government has vehemently rejected.
According to findings, the Ruga settlements, which are meant to house Fulani herdsmen and their cattle across the country, is been seen as a subtle way of re-introducing grazing routes or cattle colony.
According to checks, the settlements will be built and equipped with standard facilities, such as schools, roads, hospital and water in about 12 states.
There appears to be palpable tension, as the Federal Government has allegedly mobilised contractors to the three local governments of Ukum, Tarka and Otukpo, designated as the pilot scheme for the project in Benue State.
READ ALSO:Waiting for Buhari’s cabinet
Checks also revealed further that the state government is particularly miffed by the total disregard to constitutional provision, regarding acquisition of land in Nigeria, which it insisted, lies with states as it is also provided for in the Land Use Act.
Officials of the federal Ministry of Agriculture, according to investigation did not confide with the Benue State government before moving into the various sites earmarked for the project.
This, the state government insisted, was at variance with the provisions of the Anti-Open Grazing and Establishment Law currently in operation in the state. The state government emphasised that it has no land for such project as the Ruga settlement and stressed that the only land available to be leased out remain those for the purpose of ranching and urged the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to move the contractors out of the sites.
A statement issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Terve Akase in Makurdi recently, took a swipe at the policy, saying it remained unworkable in the state.
He said it was necessary to make the position of the government and people of Benue State abundantly clear on the Ruga settlements.
“A few weeks ago, the Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture with his team in Benue State informed officials of the state Ministry of Agriculture that he had received directives from the ministry’s headquarters, Abuja to establish Ruga which means ‘Fulani settlement’ in parts of the State.
“The Director stated that the local government areas selected for the Ruga settlements were Otukpo, Tarka and Ukum.
“The Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Agriculture drew the attention of the Director and his team to the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, being implemented in the state. When they were also reminded about the Land Use Act which confers on the Governor, the powers to administer lands in all parts of the State, officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture left with a promise to relay the message to their headquarters. They surprisingly returned a few days later with contractors to commence work on the Ruga settlements.”
It added that the state government found the approach of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture not only as a gross violation of the ranching law, but also as an insult to the sensibilities of the entire people of Benue State.
It recalled that the people and government of Benue State rejected cattle colonies and were ready to reject the policy in whichever robes it is disguised.
It explained that Governor Samuel Ortom made the stand of Benue State known during the unveiling of the Livestock Development Programme in Abuja last year stressing that the state would embrace the policy only if it supports implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.
Mr. Akase stated further that Governor Ortom at the occasion insisted that Benue State has no land for open grazing of cattle and restated ranching as a lasting solution to the incessant herders and farmers’ crisis which the country ought to embrace.
He said the governor made similar presentations at different fora to buttress why open grazing of livestock was not feasible in a densely populated country with over 200 million people.
“During the National Council on Agriculture summit, which took place in Owerri, Imo State in April this year, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture attempted to impose Ruga settlement patterns on the states but the Benue State delegation seized the opportunity to remind the summit that Benue State has a law on ranching which has phased out open grazing. No one at the summit put forth an alternative method of animal husbandry to counter the state’s presentation.
“It could also be recalled that the National Economic Council, NEC, had also unanimously adopted ranching as the best method of livestock breeding for the country. It is therefore shocking to see the Federal Government turning round to establish Fulani herdsmen settlements in some states, including Benue, contrary to the position of NEC.
“We wish to remind those pushing for Ruga settlements that the Constitution of the country gives states the right to make laws for the governance of their people. Any attempt to subvert such right is a direct attack on the Constitution. Those behind such a move are enemies of peace and progress,” he stated.
Already, individuals and groups in the state are expressing anger over the policy, saying the Federal Government was trying to take Benue people for granted by its attempt to introduce through the back door, a policy that has already been rejected with a vow to do same with this new policy with the last pint of their blood.
READ ALSO:Algeria Parliament President Bouchareb resigns
According to them, the Federal Government seems adamant in reversing the decision which has been heavily opposed by the authorities in the state.
Indeed, the move by the Buhari administration is a strong indication that another round of confrontation is imminent between the two governments.
And the Benue State government is not alone in this fight. Already, it has secured the support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which on Thursday bemoaned the alleged forceful seizure of some portions of the state’s land by the Federal Government for the Ruga scheme.
The apex umbrella body of Ndigbo, described the development as introduction of anarchy in the land, calling on the Federal Government to beat a retreat immediately to protect the Nigerian constitution, which every entity in Nigeria is bound by.
In a statement by its President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said: “The Federal government violation of provisions of our constitution on the administrative of land in Nigeria, its total violation of valid laws made by Benue State government in accordance with her inherent powers under our constitution and its violations of extant court judgment on grazing and ranching is a clear pointer to anarchy“When respect for the rule of law is jettisoned and sheer power, religious bigotry and nepotism displayed, an inevitable resort to self help and anarchy is being courted. Our country is sliding into avoidable anarchy and doom!
