NO FEDERAL RANCHES IN IMO STATE

 

ON THE NEW MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT 

 

Non-Partisan Question

 

Do you support the establishment of federal (Fulani-run) ranches in your state for the purpose of stopping herders v farmers conflicts? 

 

My answer

 

I oppose the establishment of federal ranches in Imo State.

 

Consider these:

 

1) Each of the eleven largest states in Northern Nigeria -- Niger, Borno, Taraba, Bauchi, Yobe, Kaduna, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, Benue and Nasarawa -- is bigger than the entire South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

 

2) The population density of the SE zone is the highest among the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

 

Permit me to add

 

* In the context of Nigeria, Imo State lacks adequate land for ranching.

 

* In the context of Nigeria, there is adequate land for livestock development in the states where the Fulani are indigenes. 

 

What about you?

 

* Is your own state among the territorially largest states in the country?

 

* If it is not, are you willing to permit your state government to allocate land to the federal government to establish ranches to appease the Fulani? In other words, are you willing to permit your state government to give the little you have to those that have more than enough?