Osun Senator Backs Ganduje On Law Against Cattle Movement

The Senator representing Osun West in the Senate, Francis Fadahunsi, has thrown his weight behind calls for legislation that would stop the movement of cattle across the country.

Fadahunsi told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that as long as movements of cattle across the country was permitted, herders and farmers would continue to clash.

The Senator who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise said it was time for a law by the parliament to address the issue to avert unnecessary bloodshed across the country.

Recall that the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had last week, advised the National Assembly to consider enacting a law that would stop the movement of cows from the northern part of the country to other parts.

However, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said such bill would not only be unconstitutional but would be contrary to the part of the constitution that stipulates that Nigerians, irrespective of their state of birth, have the right to freedom of movement.

The Senate spokesperson said, “I don’t think such a law will be constitutional. Nigerians have the right to freedom of movement irrespective of the state of birth or nativity.

But Fadahunsi in response to the position of the Senate spokesman said a law against the movement of cows was a law that would guarantee peace and save lives.

He said, “The purpose of government is the security of lives and welfare of the citizens, and such law will save lives by avoiding conflicts between herders and farmers.

“This does not contradict the constitution. The freedom of movement is for citizens, human beings and not for cows.”

Fadahunsi said beyond a law that will stop the movement of cattle, there was a need for Nigeria’s borders to be adequately policed.

The lawmaker said there are extremely porous borders in the Northern part of the country through which armed militias come in from the Niger Republic, Mali, Chad, and other troubled African countries.

He advised the government to equip the military, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Customs Service for efficiency.