"We Have Banned Open Grazing" – South-East Governors Forum

The 5 governors of the South-East geopolitical zone have stated that open grazing was banned in the region sometime ago.

The Ebonyi state Governor, and Chairman Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, made this known on Monday, 1st Feb, 2021 during an APC stakeholders meeting at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.

In his words, “Governors of South East have been calling on our leaders to speak out on the security of the zone and unity of Nigeria. I read on paper where someone said he was giving governors of South East 7-days to ban open grazing.

“The governors of southeast had banned open grazing and movement of cows by foot into South East in each of states of the zone. We are managing ourselves well. What we discuss with the herdsmen is the system in place for a long time.”

He warned against politicising security issues, and called on leaders and political actors to ensure national unity.

“What our people must know is that security is not political. What is demanded of the leaders is to put up programmess that favour the people and foster national unity.”

Umahi supported calls to flush out criminals in forests, saying, “In our forests today, we have the kidnappers, herdsmen, cultists, all sorts of criminals.

“Anybody staying in the forest is taking a risk when we say that people should move out of the forests. It is for their safety and security. So, I support that kidnappers, herdsmen, cultists, and bandits should be flushed out of our forests.”