Nigerian Concord Newspaper
A former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN has assured that any idea that the anti-open grazing law which was established by the administration of Chief Samuel Ortom, PhD will be repealed is unrealistic.
Aondoakaa, a 2027 Governorship hopeful made this assurance in a media note where he barred his mind On the Benue Ranches Establishment and Anti Open-Grazing Prohibition Law.
Recall that there have been reports of spirited plans to repeal the law to favour the fulani herdsmen in Benue state but, Aondoakaa who was recently given a title of the IVAANAYANGE I TIV by the Tiv Traditional Council led by the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse said that the idea wouldn’t be realistic with him as governor of the State.
Also recall that insecurity and continued killings of innocent people have been a serious challenge facing Benue State as a result of mass influx of fulani herdsmen into the state through Cameroun, Niger and some other neighbouring countries.
However as part of his solution to the security challenge, Chief Aondoakaa promised to firstly use dialogue and education.
According to him, using dialogue and educating both the farmers of Benue State and fulani herdsmen on how to live together as one will assist in preventing unnecessary clashes between them.
He also said that educating them on how to ranch their cattles without destroying farmlands will help to achieve a peaceful co-existence which is a vital yardstick to safety of lives and properties..
Furthermore, the former chief law officer of the Federation said that he will deliberately engage all those who are directly concerned under the law to understand the importance of the law.
According to him, there is a chance to stop these killings and destroying of properties of innocent people if those who are directly concerned under the law are directly engaged by the State government for them to understand the power of the law and what it stands to achieve
Also, Chief Aondoakaa promised to defend Benue people from their oppressors, adding that no part of Benue’s land will be taken by anyone.
Saying that the anti open grazing law does not preclude self-defence, the Frontline governorship aspirant assured that the people of the State will be encouraged and educated on self defense which is the first means of fighting insecurity.
“I will protect not just Benue people but anyone living here because both the people of Benue State and the strangers living here are entitled to maximum protection from the state government so I will make sure that everyone is covered with the government’a umbrella of protection ” he concluded.