The Governors from the Southern Region recently met in Asaba, Delta State capital, to proffer solutions to increasing security issues in the region
Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said the decision of the southern governors to prohibit open grazing in the region is a dangerous move.
The Minister who gave the warning when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, described the position of the Southern Governors as “indeed dangerous.”
According to Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the Governors have no right to prohibit the liberty and freedom of movement of any Nigerian, adding that their declaration was as good as northern Governors coming out to ban spare parts trading in the North.
The Governors from the Southern Region recently met in Asaba, Delta State capital, to proffer solutions to increasing security issues in the region
The Governors at the meeting condemned open grazing and movement of cattle from the Northern Region to the South.
They further called for a national conference to determine national questions bothering on the nature of Nigeria’s federalism and federal character in national appointments, among other issues.
But Attorney General of the Federation in reaction to the governors’ resolution insisted that the ban on open grazing does not hold water, adding that the Governors must first approach the National Assembly to seek constitution amendments in that respect, adding that even trying to prohibit the freedom of a Nigerian with or without a constitutional backing, is a dangerous position.
“Well, it is about constitutionality. Within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution…enshrined in our constitution, can you deny the rights of a Nigerian? For example, it is as good as saying, maybe, the northern governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water? He said.
“Does it hold water for northern governors to come out saying they now prohibit spear parts trading in the North? Look, if you are talking about constitutionally guaranteed rights, it is to go back to ensure the constitution is amended.
“The freedom of movement, among others, is established in the constitution.
“If by an inch you want to have any compromise over it, the better approach is to go back to the national [and sponsor a motion for] open grazing to be prohibited and see whether you will have the desired support for the constitutional amendment in that respect but it is indeed a dangerous position for any Governor in Nigeria to think that he can bring about any compromise…any compromise on the freedom and liberty and freedom of individuals to move around.”
