Banning Open Grazing Is Like Banning Sale Of Spare Parts In The North - Malami

Fifteen of the Seventeen Governors from the Southern Geopolitical Zones had converged on Asaba last week in what will be a first of its kind meeting, to deliberate on security issues as it affects the zone.

Amongst others as contained in the 12-point Communique, the Southern Governors resolved the immediate ban on open grazing all over Southern Nigeria; a decision that has dominated discussions nationwide.

Excerpts from Seun Okin's interview with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN on #PoliticsToday

On the issue of banning grazing, the AGF asks if you deny the rights of a Nigerian citing the example of Northern governors coming together to ban the trade of spare parts in the north. Does it hold water?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyV-4rOaoow

ChannelsTV

Malami: Banning open grazing is like banning sale of spare parts

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.”

SOURCE

source http://www.nairaland.com/6561569/malami-banning-open-grazing-like