Leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has again hit out hard on the Federal Government’s plan to establish Farm Estate in states across the country, insisting that such plan is not recognised by law and should be disregarded by state governors.

Pa Adebanjo pointed out that the federal government has been trying to force open grazing on states using different ploys, saying that its recent proposal to establish farm estates across the country should be condemned and rejected in its entirety.

The Afenifere leader maintained that the federal government failed in its ploy to establish RUGA colonies across the country and should not attempt to force the establishment of farm estate on states, adding that the Land Use Act empowers state governors to manage and control all lands in their states.

Chief Adebanjo, while speaking during a telephone interview with Sunday Tribune, disclosed that if the Federal Government wants to promote farm estates, it should allow state governors who have the constitutional rights to dispense all lands to establish them, warning that the Buhari-led government should be reminded that “He can’t force it on states except the governor of the state accepts it. We are not under dictatorship but democracy.”

The elder statesman further berated the position of the federal government for its insistence on recovering non-existence grazing routes, saying “It is on weak ground and the position is unconstitutional. That is why he doesn’t want to do restructuring. The Land Use Act is a constitutional position. So, he can’t make it. He can’t force it on any state. Buhari has no power under the constitution to force open grazing on any state.”

Don’t introduce open grazing policy through back door —Ohanaeze tells FG

In its reaction, the Vice National President of the Igbo Social-Cultural Organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, has warned the federal government not to introduce the contentious open grazing policy through the back door.

Okeke-Ogene, who made his position known in an interview with Sunday Tribune, in Awka, Anambra State, said though farm estate is good, it must be operated in conjunction with the state governors for its smooth operations.

Speaking further, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo vice president argued that for the idea to work effectively without sentiment, the federal government should engage state governments that know their people and territory to manage the farm estates.

“The policy is good. We welcome it in the South-East but it should not be a plan that will bring in open grazing policy. Why it is a good idea is because it will create job opportunities for the youths. It will also curb criminal activities in the society”, Okeke-Ogene submitted.

He advised governors, particularly, governors from the Southern states to study the policy critically before keying into it for the sake of peace.

Ohanwe, the traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State demanded for a clear interpretation of what farm estate is all about.

He questioned the difference between grazing and RUGA. He was of the view that those who breed cattle in the region should go ahead with what they have while those who do not breed cattle should be left alone.

Also reacting to the development, the President of the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders. (COSEYL) which is an umbrella body of all the youth organizations in the South-East geopolitical zone, Goodluck Egeu Ibem, said that such a plan should not be carried out in the region.

He said farm estate has no meaning to the people of the zone, describing it as an attempt to arm-twist the people of the zone.

Attempt to establish Farm estate will fail —Gani Adams

Also speaking, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams rubbished the idea, calling it another attempt by the Buhari government to enforce open grazing. According to him, the government can’t insist on having grazing routes in states as all lands belong to the states.

Gani Adams in an interview with Sunday Tribune maintained that the federal government should respect the principle of three tiers of government and should not attempt to impose its wish on the states and local governments.

“This plan by the government can’t work. They can’t insist on it. It will be the beginning of anarchy. It can even lead to war if the governors are determined. The governors don’t know how powerful they are; they interface with the citizens, but the Federal government does not,” he said.

Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/You-cant-force-farm-estates-on-states-Pa-Adebanjo-Ohanaeze-Gani-Adams-tackle-FG

This Buhari is a thief and a potential land graper,

It is left for the Southern Governors to reject it or the citizenry lead a mass protests across all Southern state. I really don't understand Buhari's fixation on land?

Aketi would put fire on Buhari Nash with this one

But what is the problem of the FG? I don't understand this their desperation about farms and rearing of animals in the whole state of the federation using different ploys.

The handwriting is so clear that they have sinister motive,this is becoming annoying .

Afonja Christian ranting unnecessary.. Islamophobic baboons.
There's shortage of meat in this country and y'all lowlifes have to drink Alcohol, and if you drink Alcohol you most eat meat. Seems like y'all want to start eating each other in the open.

We allowed y'all to come and do business in the North without discrimination, but you don't allow single northerner to live in the SE and SS only few in South West. Anyways, is find with us, cus multiculturalism is the best way.

I see nothing wrong with the creation of farm estate, I'm fully in support of the FG on this.

Modified: I still stand my ground on this, there is nothing wrong in farm estate, so far nah indigenous people go dey in charge.

Everyday for Nigeria na one day many new and fresh wahala

Flyingngel:
It is left for the Southern Governors to reject it or the citizenry lead a mass protests across all Southern state. I really don't understand Buhari's fixation on land?

I just tire. The irredentism in him must always rear it's ugly head

Lol

Hmmm

Any how the FG wants to twist grabbing land by force, make the southern governors resist it

Federal government is smoking weed

Farm estate, Ruga, cattle. Locating old cattle route. Those are the problem of this present government.

Fulani government will just be renaming Ruga anyhow.




God bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for allowing God to use him in revealing the evil plan since 2014.If not people would have allow this evil plan thinking is the best solution for Fulani herdsmen attack.




God bless ESN as una guard our farms.

Yes

States will only set up farm estates if they want to do so, FG cannot force them to do so

The reason why all this nonsense is happening is because Nigerians are still eating cow meat. Reject cow meat and watch them fall in line.
When Nigerians are ready, they will be free from the menace. For now, let us keep frolicking back and forth...

adenigga:


Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/You-cant-force-farm-estates-on-states-Pa-Adebanjo-Ohanaeze-Gani-Adams-tackle-FG

Just because of Cows...see how important Cow is..

Cow is now more important than Rising Dollar rate...Okoko...

I regret voting this government....e dey shame me.... Tueh!!

Flyingngel:
It is left for the Southern Governors to reject it or the citizenry lead a mass protests across all Southern state. I really don't understand Buhari's fixation on land?

U don't know fulanis. They are conquest seeking entities. What pains me is that they are dam minority and are causing too much headache. They are even immigrants.

I blame the core Nigerians who allowed this. Normally, it won't take core Nigerians two years to put the fulanis where they belong. Always causing problems. Destroying farmlands. Causing headache.

Buhari should drop the idea, it is not popular down south here. These and many more are the reasons we keep calling for true federalism down south. Weaken the centre, so they don't use federal might to subjugate the will of any one region in favour of another.

Aboki like cow and hate beer. Southerners hate cows, but love beer; why not let every man decide his fate.

I wonder why no rich private individual has decided to go into modern cow rearing. With technology and money, that business is sweet.

walemoney007:
I see nothing wrong with the creation of farm estate, I'm fully in support of the FG on this.

Ok U SEE Nothing Wrong Right? Well If You Don't Look Well U Might Not Even See Anything Till It's Late.

Gani Adams the only Yoruba man who fails to join betraying squad. Baba live long

walemoney007:
I see nothing wrong with the creation of farm estate, I'm fully in support of the FG on this.

Chai, I pity anyone close to you, it's so easy to decieve your fish brain and take advantage of you.

FG can support farming without requesting for land. Let them go and design a program to aid farming without land just like they did for rice in the NW.

Shebi NORTH is feeding the whole country....pls keep the farm in the north and feed us...we don't want to start feeding our selves yet

CR777:
Be careful no

Chai, I pity anyone close to you, it's so easy to decieve your fish brain and take advantage of you.

Please bro, respect yourself.

I'm speaking for myself and on behalf of my state alone, and am sure you and I are not even from the same state.

Is just my opinion. I'm with the FG on Farm Estate, but it should be for states only interested in it.