The Northern senators and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have both expressed their rejection of a bill seeking the establishment of ranching as the only viable alternative for cattle breeding in Nigeria.
The National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission establishment Bill scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate yesterday after an intense debate.
The bill aims to establish ranches for herders in their states of origin, replacing the current practice of open grazing.
If enacted, the commission would oversee the management, preservation, and control of ranches nationwide.
Nigeria has been grappling with herders-farmers conflicts for years, leading to losses of lives and property.
In his lead debate, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (APC, Benue), said creating ranches in pastoralists’ states of origin would prevent conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence.
Senator Zam emphasized, “The bill proposes that ranches be established in the pastoralists’ state of origin without forcing it upon other states or communities that do not have pastoralists as citizens.”
He further added, “The bill proposes that interested parties in livestock business must seek and obtain approvals of their host communities to establish ranches for peaceful co-existence.”
Senator Zam highlighted that banning open grazing through legislation would resolve the frequent clashes between farmers and herders and emphasized the need for a regulatory framework to address the chaotic scenario of survival of the fittest between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria.
However, before the bill scaled second reading, it faced strong opposition from some northern senators.
Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) maintained that confining herders to their states of origin violates their constitutional rights under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the freedom to reside anywhere in Nigeria.
He argued that the bill is against the constitution because herders are Nigerians and should be allowed to move freely in the country.
Additionally, Senator Mohammed Goje (APC, Gombe) described the bill as discriminatory, noting that cattle rearing is more prevalent in the North.
Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu (NNPP, Kano) expressed concerns about the bill infringing on herders’ rights and stated, “You can’t propose a law to attend to a particular group or section of the country only.
This bill is not holistic, and we will fight it till the end.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin reiterated that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live anywhere in the country, expressing concerns about the bill’s constitutional alignment.
On the other hand, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia) supported the bill as a potential solution to the farmers-herders clashes, recommending constitutional and Land Use Act amendments for better land management.
He emphasized the need for land reforms while acknowledging the diverse nature of herders and the existence of criminal elements destabilizing communities.
Meanwhile, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) backed the proposed ranching law, believing it would enhance the development of the livestock subsector.
AFAN’s national president, Architect Kabiru Ibrahim, noted that the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) endorses ranching as the best method for animal husbandry.
He emphasized that ranching would lead to higher milk yield, efficient weight gain, and increased beef production.
In an interview, the Director of Strategic Planning of MACBAN, Adamu Toro, called on the Senate to reject the bill promoting ranching as the primary method for cattle breeding.
MACBAN said the bill contradicts the constitution, which allows Nigerians to reside and conduct business anywhere in the country.
Toro suggested that state governments focus on addressing herders-farmers conflicts and criticized the emotional basis of the bill, stating, “If herders are required to return to their states of origin, then all individuals conducting business outside their home states should be asked to do the same.
This bill is nonsensical and too emotional.”
The bill was referred to the joint Senate Committee on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Legal Matters for further review, with a report due within four weeks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a public hearing to include input from all stakeholders, including cattle rearers and state governments.
