Atedo Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, says linking the resolution to ban open grazing in the south with right to free movement of persons is “disingenuous”.
On Wednesday, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, criticised the resolve to ban open grazing by southern governors, saying it is equivalent to prohibiting spare parts trading in the north.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?” Malami said.
“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?”
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Malami’s comments came on the heels of the resolution of governors in the south to ban open grazing and the movement of cattle by foot, after a meeting in Asaba, Delta state, Last Tuesday.
Reacting to the development, Peterside, via a tweet, on Thursday, said freedom of movement of persons does not extend to cattle.
“It is disingenuous to link a ban on open grazing to the constitutional right to the free movement of persons,” he said.
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“The latter does not extend to the free movement of cattle, goats, sheep etc through farms with the attendant destruction of somebody’s harvest.”
It is disingenuous to link a ban on open grazing to the constitutional right to the free movement of persons. The latter does not extend to the free movement of cattle, goats, sheep etc through farms with the attendant destruction of somebody's harvest https://t.co/MHx6NzRZst
— Atedo Peterside (@AtedoPeterside) May 20, 2021
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