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Grazing laws: Heavy knocks for Defence minister

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The Senate, the House of Representatives, Taraba, Ekiti and Benue state governments on Wednesday berated the Minister of Defence, Maj.Gen. Musur Dan-Ali (retd.),  for calling on state governments to suspend their anti-open grazing laws, discribing the call as illegal.

While the Senate and the Benue State Government asked the minister to withdraw his statement, Taraba and Ekiti states rejected the call by Dan-Ali.

The minister, after a security council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday,  had said the suspension of the laws would reduce tension.

The anti-open grazing law is currently operational in Benue, Ekiti and Taraba states.

Dan-Ali, in a statement by his Public Relations Officer, Col. Tukur Guasu, also called for creation of safe routes for herdsmen.

Withdraw  your comment, it’s absurd Senate tells Ali

But the Senate, at the plenary on Wednesday, criticised the minister. The upper chamber of the National Assembly asked him to withdraw his statement.

Raising a point of order, Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North-East) faulted Dan-Ali’s statement and urged the Senate to ask the minister to withdraw the statement.

He also stated that the states were empowered by the Land Use Act to take ownership and management of land resources.

The lawmakers unanimously granted Gemade’s prayer to “ask the minister of defence to withdraw his statement on his call for the withdrawal of the anti-open grazing laws in Benue and Taraba as these laws were properly enacted in accordance with the states’ Houses of Assembly.”

Reacting to Dan-Ali’s statement, Gemade said, “This is not the first time that we will hear this kind of absurd statement coming from no less a personality than the minister of defence.  If a minister of defence is calling for anarchy, where else can we find peace?

“We understand that the minister comes from Zamfara State and I wonder if all the killings in Zamfara that are almost equal in number with the ones in Benue, are also as a result of the anti-open grazing law. And if by his own experience, the killings in Zamfara have nothing to do with the anti-open grazing law, why does he believe that the killings in Benue and Taraba states are because they enacted the laws?

“These killings have been on for seven years before the laws came into operation. So, what was responsible for the killings at that time? And now the killings in Zamfara have not ceased, yet they have not made a law prohibiting open grazing. “We think that this republic is probably being misadvised by those who have been given appointments to take responsibility for the good governance of this nation. Therefore, they must be cautioned.”

Gemade added, “It was very strange to me that in the mind of the Minister of Defence of this nation, the only way he can solve the problem of hundreds and thousands of people being killed in Benue and Taraba states is that the laws they made against open grazing of cattle – where you cannot control the conflict between herdsmen and farmers – should be removed, so that whatever semblance of law to keep law and order should be removed and anarchy can go on as was the case before.”

In his submission, Senator John Enoh (Cross River-Central), described Gemade’s arguments as logical.

He said, “If killings had been going on for the past seven years and the enactment of the anti-open grazing laws by Benue, Taraba and Ekiti states was just about one year ago, what it means is that going against the laws will not be the solution to the killings. That means the anti-open grazing law is not the reason why the killings are taking place in the states.”

Don’t suspend anti-open grazing laws, Reps tell FG, NSC

Also, the House of Representatives asked the National Security Council not to direct states to suspend  their respective anti-open grazing laws.

The House said such a directive would infringe on the constitutional powers of the states to make laws for the security and welfare of their citizenry.

It passed the resolution after a member from Benue State, Mr. John Dyegh, brought up the NSC’ decision under matters of public importance.

Dyegh, a member of the All Progressives Congress, reminded members that the 1999 Constitution empowered state Houses of Assembly to make laws for the states.

He cited some laws made by states before the anti-open grazing laws like the laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol and prostitution.

The lawmaker noted that it smacked of hypocrisy to say some laws were acceptable, while others were not.

He added, “The laws against sale of alcohol and prostitution are there. They are still being implemented as we speak, no matter how inconvenient they are to the victims.

“Why is the anti-open grazing law an issue? Under the Land Use Act, land is vested in the hands of the state to hold in trust for the people. Why is the law against open grazing such an issue to them?”

Rather than asking the states to suspend their laws, the House called on the Federal Government to submit a supplementary budget to develop cattle colonies in the 11 states that volunteered land for the purpose.

The session, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, passed the resolution in a unanimous voice vote.

Your statement is offensive, Ortom tells minister

Also, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom,  has faulted the minister.

The governor, through the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mr. Lawrence Onoja Jnr. asked the minister to withdraw the statement.

Ortom, who expressed surprise at the minister’s statement, noted that his outburst was at variance with the position of the National Economic Council, presided over by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, which had endorsed ranching as the best global practice.

The governor stated, “We call on Mansur Dan-Ali to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw this highly offensive statement against Benue State and the victims of herdsmen killings in the state.

“Over 500 Benue indigenes have so far lost their lives to herdsmen invasion of the state since the New Year day.”

The governor said that while  the minister was dissipating his energy on the law, he had yet to call for the arrest and prosecution of the Miyeiti Allah leaders who had allegedly openly and consistently threatened more bloodshed in Benue on account of the law.

He said that the state government had acted within the ambit of the constitution, which empowers states to make laws for the good governance of the people.

Ortom said that there was no going back on the implementation of the law as prosecution of offenders was going on smoothly.

“We have no apologies to the Minister of Defence or anyone,” he said.

Benue Assembly calls for Ali’s resignation

But the state House of Assembly at its plenary on Wednesday called for the resignation of the defence minister, describing his statement as “unfortunate.”

The Majority Leader, Benjamin Adayin, had raised a motion of public importance condemning the statement of the minister. He moved a motion for condemning the minister’s statement and passing vote of no confidence in him.

Members including John Ahubi, Sule Audu and, Benjamin Mguthyor representing Otukpo/Akpa, Agatu and Tarka constituencies respectively lambasted the minister.

The resolution of the House,  which was read by the Speaker, Terkimbir Ikyabir, condemned  the statement of the minister.

He said that the House passed a vote of no confidence in  Dan-Ali and asked him to resign his appointment with immediate effect.

Ali’s demand, affront to federalism, says Fayose

On his part, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, said the call by the minister was an affront to federalism practised in the country.

In his tweeter handle, Fayose wondered why it was difficult for the Federal Government to support cattle ranching.

Fayose stated, “Call by the Federal Government  through the Minister of Defence, Dan-Ali, that states should suspend implementation of the anti-grazing law is an affront to federalism that is practised in Nigeria. It is amazing that at the level of the Presidency, they still see states as appendages of the Federal Government.

“January this year, the minister of defence blamed passage of anti-grazing law in some states as the cause of killings by herdsmen; today, he is still singing the same song. Is there something to this old system of nomadic cattle rearing that they are not telling Nigerians?

“Why is @MBuhari not rearing his cows through open grazing? Why is it so difficult for the Federal Government to support cattle ranching? Here in Ekiti, the anti-open grazing law stays. It is the Presidency that should stop looking the other way while herdsmen go about killing Nigerians.

“I think the Presidency should be concerned about how to take the herdsmen out of the bush and give them decent life by embracing cattle ranching. How can anyone be pleased subjecting his own people to a life of following cows through the bush from Yobe to Lagos?”

Fayose later issued a statement where he argued that the Federal Government lacked the power to suspend or abrogate the anti-grazing laws enacted by the state governments to prohibit open grazing of cattle in their states.

In the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, on Wednesday, Fayose hinged his submission on the fact that “the country is a federation and that Ekiti is one of the federating units and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear on what each unit can legislate on.

“On this subject, the Federal Government has no control and cannot interfere. This is a matter of law.

“I want the Federal Government to know that we are operating a democratic system and that we are not in the military era when the government is run by decrees and fiats. Those in the Federal Government contemplating to suspend a law enacted by the state can only be appointed by a quasi-military government and not a pure civilian government.

“Let them know that the Ekiti State Anti-grazing Law has come to stay and we have no apology for that. Where were they when our farmers were being hacked down in various parts of the state?”

We won’t suspend our anti-grazing law – Taraba gov

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Taraba State on Media, Mr. Bala Dan Abu, who responded on behalf of Governor Darius Ishaku, said the state would not suspend the law, adding that the defence minister and the Federal Government lacked the power to ask a state to dump its law.

He stated,  “ I’ve read about his call that the anti-open grazing laws by state governments should be suspended. I think his position is a misconception of what the laws by the various state governments are set out to achieve or maybe he’s just pretending not to understand the issues relating to killings by herdsmen. Killings have not just started in the Middle  Belt states, in the North and other parts of the country.

“If the open grazing law is the problem, how does he want to explain killings in Kaduna, Zamfara and Kogi states that have no such law? He is pretending, he understands the issue and that is why we, in Taraba State, are rejecting his call for the suspension of our anti-open grazing law.

“We will not suspend our law because we are running a federal system of government and so a state is free to make laws that will suit its people. Anyway, the suspension of the law is not the solution to the problem of killings in the country particularly killings carried out by Fulani herdsmen.

“The solution to the problem rests with the Federal Government because it has all the mercenaries to deal with the issue. The Federal Government is in control of all the security apparatus of the country, the problem is that the security agents are not getting the right instructions and even when they give them the right instructions, the political will to do the right thing is not there. So, the defence minister and all his security chiefs and the police should do the right things and they should not take sides like they have been doing.”

Minister’s call illegal, says OPC

The Oodua People’s Congress also lambasted the minister of defence.

The founder of the OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, in a statement on Wednesday described the call as unconstitutional.

Fasehun described the call as “contradicting Section 4(7) of the constitution that empowers state Houses of Assembly to make laws for the good governance in their areas.”

He also hailed the National Assembly for its fresh attempt to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

The OPC founder said Buhari had failed to understand that free media, legislature and the judiciary remained the cornerstone of any democracy.

Describing the National Assembly’s resolve as a bold and patriotic step to curtail dictatorship and executive lawlessness, the OPC urged Nigerians to support the move.

I only made a suggestion, minister insists

But  reacting to criticisms, the Minister of Defence said his recommendation should be treated as a suggestion and no more.

The Public Relations Officer to the minister, Col. Tukur Gusau, when asked on Wednesday to comment on the lawmakers’ statement, said the minister had only made suggestions, adding that he was not aware of any such comments from the senators.

Gusau said, “The minister is only making a suggestion. Of course, we agree states can make laws, but he is only making a suggestion. I am not aware that the Senate has made any such pronouncement. Let us give it time. Let us hear what they said. For now, I cannot say anything. You are the one telling me.”

….Punchng.com

GrassRoots.ng is on a critical mission; to objectively and honestly represent the voice of ‘grassrooters’ in International, Federal, State and Local Government fora; heralding the achievements of political and other leaders and investors alike, without discrimination. This daily, digital news publication platform serves as the leading source of up-to-date information on how people and events reflect on the global community. The pragmatic articles reflect on the life of the community people, covering news/current affairs, business, technology, culture and fashion, entertainment, sports, State, National and International issues that directly impact the locals.

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PRCAN Mourns the Passing of NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi

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PRCAN

The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has received with deep shock and sadness the news of the passing of Mallam Bashir Chedi, a distinguished member of the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), who died at the age of 65.

In a statement issued by PRCAN, the Association described the late Chedi as an accomplished professional, a consummate communicator, and a pillar of integrity whose contributions to the growth of public relations in Nigeria will remain indelible.

“Mallam Bashir Chedi was a respected voice in our profession, a mentor to many, and an advocate of ethical practice. His departure is not only a great loss to the NIPR family but also to the larger communication and public relations community in Nigeria,” PRCAN said.

The Association extended its condolences to Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, the NIPR Council, the family of the deceased, and the entire PR community, praying that Almighty God grants them the strength to bear the loss.

“While we mourn his passing, we take solace in the impactful legacy he has left behind, one that will continue to inspire present and future generations of PR practitioners,” the statement added.

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Mbah to NBA: “Law, the Conscience of the Nation, Justice Sector Reform, a Cornerstone of Our Administration”

By ORJI ISRAEL

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Mbah to NBA

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reminded lawyers that the law is more than a profession, as it serves as the conscience of the nation.

Mbah, who spoke during the opening of the 2025 Annual General Conference, AGC, of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Sunday, also restated the commitment of his administration to justice sector reform, saying that it remained the cornerstone of his government.

“Let me say this: the theme of this year’s conference, ‘Stand Out, Stand Tall,’ is a timely reminder of the responsibility we bear as lawyers and leaders. The law is not just a profession – it is the conscience of the nation. We are not only courtroom advocates; we are also defenders of truth, architects of peace, and champions of equity,” he said.

Listing some concrete steps by his administration towards justice sector reform, the governor said, “Since assuming office, we have made justice sector reform a cornerstone of our governance. Just a few examples will suffice.

“We were among the first states to fully implement financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This has enhanced the efficiency, independence, and dignity of our courts.

“We have carried out a comprehensive rehabilitation and digitization of our courtrooms across the three senatorial zones. The High Court Complex in Enugu is equipped with e-filing, virtual hearing facilities, and an integrated case management system.

“To decongest our courts and promote alternative dispute resolution, we have strengthened and expanded the Enugu Multi-Door Courthouse, making it a model in the region for commercial and family dispute settlement.

“Through partnership with civil society and the NBA, we have expanded access to pro bono legal services for indigent citizens and detainees, especially in our rural areas. No one should be too poor to afford justice.

“We have also carried out an extensive codification and review of obsolete state laws to reflect modern realities, ensure gender justice, and promote the ease of doing business in Enugu.

“Perhaps one of the reforms I am proudest of – we introduced real-time transcription for our courts. Attaining Verbatim Reporting for the courts has eliminated the strain of longhand recording on judges, cut down on delays and improved productivity,” he said.

He, however, asserted that none of the reforms was an end in itself, noting that they remained  part of a broader vision of his government towards making Enugu State the preferred destination for investment, innovation, and inclusive development.

“From smart schools, safe communities to accessible healthcare – our vision cannot be achieved without a justice system that is fair, functional, and trusted,” he added.

The opening ceremony was chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar III, while the keynote address was given by charismatic leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters of South Africa and a member of country’s national parliament, Julius Malema.

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70% of Christians killed in 2024 are African – Group

ORJI ISRAEL reports that the group accused ANC of maintaining silence on religious persecution, while deepening ties with ideological extremists in Tehran

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70% of Christians killed in 2024 are African gettyimages
Women crying during killings in Benue State, Nigeria

Recent reports indicate that over 4,400 Christians were murdered for their faith last year, while over the past decade, jihadist violence has driven 16 million Christians from their homes, millions of which are African citizens.

This is according to global Christian charity, Open Doors, which also confirms that for every five Christians, one will face persecution in Africa specifically.

Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List reveals the top 10 most dangerous countries for Christians are dominated by Islamic states in the Middle East and Africa, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Nigeria. A more detailed UK Parliament briefing recently noted that 70% of Christians killed in 2024 were indeed in Africa. 

Over the last six months, the brutality against Christians in Africa has escalated to alarming levels, with a series of devastating attacks across the continent. Just last month, ISIL-affiliated rebels stormed a Catholic church in Komanda, DRC, murdering close to 50 worshippers, including women and children. That same month in Mozambique, Islamic State fighters captured and beheaded six Christians from Natocua village, just across South Africa’s border. A month earlier, in June 2025, armed militants in Nigeria massacred nearly 200 Christian civilians in Yelwata village. 

“What we are witnessing is not random violence or isolated attacks. It is a deliberate, coordinated campaign by jihadist networks to wipe Christianity from vast regions of Africa and the Middle East,” says SAFI spokesperson, Bafana Modise. “These acts of terror are the early stages of a genocide against Christians, and history will record who spoke out and who shamefully looked away. Tragically, the ANC has chosen the latter.”

This silence is even more damning in light of last week’s news that South Africa’s military chief, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, met with Iranian Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami in Tehran to discuss deepening military and strategic ties, when Iran remains one of the world’s most notorious persecutors of Christians.

A recent report by the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI) warned that Pretoria’s deepening ties with Tehran has compromised South Africa’s democratic foundations by defending Iran at the UN and IAEA, downplaying its human rights abuses, and potentially benefitting from covert support, including speculation around the ANC’s repayment of a multi-million-rand debt shortly after filing the ICJ case against Israel.

“These atrocities are not just crimes against individuals; they are part of a war against the freedom of religion itself,” Modise warns. “This is religious genocide, and it is gaining momentum as it edges closer to South Africa’s borders.”

Instead of defending religious freedom, the ANC government has remained silent. It has issued no meaningful condemnation or rallying call to protect persecuted Christians: “The ANC has done nothing to defend the rights of Christians,” says Modise. “Instead, it has squandered South Africa’s moral standing on discredited genocide charges against Israel – the one country in the Middle East where Christians live in safety and equality.”

This betrayal is even more unforgivable in a nation where 80% of South Africans identify as Christian. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, but the ANC, once the global champion of human rights, has made its bed with regimes and groups that have used Islamic law to suppress and destroy those freedoms.

“The ANC’s alliances make it clear: they have abandoned South Africa’s Christians, choosing friendship with the very forces driving this campaign of genocide,” Modise concludes. “Silence in the face of such evil is complicity, and the ANC is guilty of both. They have aligned themselves with Jihadist Islamic ideology, without further thought.”

We call on every pastor, every congregation, and every believer to demand that the ANC account for its indifference and betrayal. The blood of persecuted Christians cries out from across the African continent. If South Africa will not stand with them now, the day may come when their fate becomes our own.

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