Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Sunday, said he would take President Muhammad Buhari to court if he insisted on grazing reserve in the state.
Recall that Governor Ortom had, last Friday, slammed President Buhari over his insistence to revive the grazing reserve despite massive opposition against it.
The governor, therefore, on Sunday, insisted that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria superseded the Northern Nigeria Law that provided for grazing reserves.
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Governor Ortom said the state government would not accept the grazing reserve policy.
When asked what step would he take if the President insisted on going ahead, Ortom said, “Already, I have briefed my lawyers to start the process. I will challenge it in court and I believe I will get judgment.
“The truth is that if the entire country had accepted ranching; then why is Mr. President insisting on open grazing when there is no land for such.
“In the 50s when this policy was initiated, what was the population of Nigeria; it was less than 40 million. Today we are more than 200 million.
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“The 923 square kilometres is not even enough to cater for the population. The reason Mr. President is insisting; to some of us, there is a hidden agenda.
“Mr. President has aides; the Attorney General of the Federation, (Abubakar) Malami, SAN, and other lawyers around him should advise him. Under my watch, the state will not accept open grazing,” Governor Ortom said.
