Malami attacked for comparing open grazing to spare parts

21 May Malami attacked for comparing open grazing to spare parts

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been attacked for comparing open grazing to spare parts.

In an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Malami had likened the southern governors’ resolution at its recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State, to ban open grazing to prohibiting spare parts trading in the north.

According to him, the decision to ban open grazing “does not hold water” in the context of human rights as enshrined in the constitution.

“It’s about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?

“For example, it’s as good as saying, perhaps, the northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the north. Does it hold water for a northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the north?”

In his reaction to Malami on Thursday, the chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, described his opposition to the ban on open gracing as “wicked and arrogant”, saying: “It’s most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Nothing can be more disconcerting.”

Akeredolu, in a statement, said the decision to ban open grazing was irrevocable as it was taken in the interest of the people.

“The decision to ban open grazing stays. It’ll be enforced with vigour. Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the laws of the respective states banning open grazing and the decision of the Southern Governor Forum taken in the interest of their people. We’ll be most willing to meet him in court.”

Also, the Senate spokesman, Ajibola Basiru, has urged President Buhari to sack Malami for “less than dignifying” argument of equating open grazing with southerners selling spare parts in the north.

Ajibola, in his capacity as a senator, said such a remark was not dignifying of the status of the nation’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

He said equating the activities of nomadic herdsmen destroying people’s means of livelihood with other people legitimately selling spare parts in their shops stood logic on its head.

He said Malami’s comment was capable of derailing the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.

Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe, in a statement by his spokesman, Uchenna Awom, said it was disheartening that “Malami has chosen to debase our country.”