Opposition continues to grow against the Federal government's selection Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the FCT for a pilot ranching project. Minister for Livestock Mukhtar Maiha who disclosed the Federal government's plan, said the government would promote the cultivation of improved grasses with sufficient nutritional value for livestock. “Today, we go and fetch the grass and bring it where the animals are. Better still, grow the grass where the animals are," he said. He explained that the designated ranching communities would be equipped with essential infrastructure, including housing, veterinary clinics, schools, primary healthcare centres, solar lighting and water facilities. Since the plan was disclosed Tuesday by the minister, opposition has been stringent and widespread, especially in Benue State, with several groups and individuals rejecting the proposal with many arguing that the plan was a conspiracy to hoist Fulani herdsmen on the mostly agrarian people of the Middle Belt. The latest opposition comes from Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese which chairman, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba in a statement, said the Catholic Priests "strongly and unequivocally reject the decision of the Federal Government to include Benue State, an already bleeding and targeted state, in the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy". The Priests pointed out that Benue is essentially an agrarian State and thus is not viable for ranching. "Benue is predominantly an agrarian state, not a pastoralist society. Ranching in Benue State is not viable and we reject the project idea with all legal and spiritual resources. Our land is not for sale and has never been on sale. There is no land in Benue State for commercial ranching. Our ancestral homes are not bargaining chips. Our people must return home. Benue must not be enslaved through policy. There will be no surrender of our ancestral heritage in whatever form or guise being proposed or presented," the statement said. Earlier, several individuals including Sebastine Hon, a senior advocate and Benue State gubernatorial candidate of SDP in next year's elections, Alex Adum, a former Commissioner in the State as well as several others had vehemently opposed the proposal. "Nigeria does not need a policy that creates permanent Fulani business enclaves in the Middle Belt. It needs a livestock policy that modernises animal husbandry while protecting the rights of farmers, pastoralists and every other Nigerian citizen, Adum posited. Similarly, Celphas Iorhen, a resident of Makurdi, in a statement titled, 'Ranching reserves in the middle belt States is legally depositing killers among their victims,' said, "We state our position without ambiguity. Any federal initiative that is truly national will involve all 36 states and the FCT equally. This policy involves six states and the President's own state is conspicuously absent from the list. We are not interested. We will not surrender our ancestral land to a ranching policy designed for our killers." Hon, a highly respected constitutional lawyer, in his reaction to the development, queried, "Does the Federal Government have any iota of constitutional vires to set up ranches in the States, particularly in Benue State? The answer is, clearly in the negative, unless State Governors donate lands as custodians thereof. Benue State Government should come clean on this issue." He said the proposal is a ploy to take over people's lands. "My personal take is that this is a land grabbing scheme, conceived to favour Fulani herders, with attendant security risks. It must be resisted. I personally reject it." The opinion of the reputable lawyer is widely supported across Benue State, with thousands taking to face book and various social media outlets to reject the Federal government's plan. One commentator, Agber Dimah said, "Time to occupy Guma, Agatu et al to prevent this nefarious plan from taking hold is nigh! Let the record show that when this evil plan was hatched by our oppressors, I vehemently opposed it." Dimah added, "Tell my children and grandchildren about this day! Let the FGN support us in areas where we have comparative advantage. We must swiftly reject this land grab rather than capitulate shamefully."

Posted: 9hours ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 14 August 2026