_Legal Practitioner Franc Utoo Says Benue’s Answer Remains “An Unyielding NO” to Federal Livestock Policies_

A Benue born and American based legal practitioner, Barr. Franc Utoo, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Pilot Ranching Scheme, describing it as the latest version of a “Trojan Horse” policy aimed at conquering Benue land.

In a statement titled _“The Policy of the Trojan Horse: Benue’s Standing ‘No’”_ released on Tuesday, Utoo traced what he called a pattern of federal policies targeting Benue’s land and heritage, from RUGA to Cattle Colonies, the National Livestock Transformation Program, and the Water Resources Bill.

Utoo recalled that Benue rejected RUGA “as a gift of prosperity,” dismissed the Cattle Colony proposal, and questioned the Livestock Transformation Program.
“The only ones needing transformation are the weary herders walking thousands of miles on foot from Guinea across our borders to Sokoto and ultimately to the Middle-Belt,” he said.

On the Water Resources Bill, he accused the federal government of attempting “to slice away two kilometers from our riverbanks and water bodies by federal decree,” adding that threats to invoke colonial grazing routes were untenable.
“If ancient maps were law, you would have to demolish Aso Rock, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court first, for they sit upon those same historical colonial paths,” he stated.

The legal practitioner alleged that after legislative and policy efforts failed, “stealth” was adopted through political proxies.
“You found a vessel—a proxy to sponsor to high political office, someone who would bow to external thrones and prioritize distant allegiances over the blood of his own people,” Utoo said.

He further alleged that “through inflated contracts and siphoned state wealth, you empowered your foot soldiers who return every week to our villages to annihilate our people, destroy our building and churches and markets.”

Utoo said the new National Pilot Ranching Scheme is a rebranded attempt at the same agenda.
“Now, on the eve of political reckoning, you return with the National Pilot Ranching Scheme. You call it a ‘pilot,’ a harmless trial, believing a change in name will blind us to the intent,” he said.

He accused the scheme of using “political survival as a leash” to force leaders to choose “between the survival of his people or the blessing of his masters.”

Utoo said the position of the Benue people has not changed.
“Understand this clearly: the answer of the Benue people remains an unyielding NO. Rename it a thousand times.This soil is not a pawn in your strategy, and our heritage is not for sale,” he declared.

“This land was tilled by the sweat of our forebears, defended by the blood of our ancestors and fathers, and it will remain the sanctuary of our children. On Christ The Solid Rock We Stand!”

The statement comes amid renewed national debate on ranching, livestock management and land use ahead of the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, describing calls for its reversal as a sign of “serious ignorance” of governance and the economy.

Tinubu made the statement on Thursday when he received Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The President said one of his political opponents had recently promised to restore the subsidy if elected, but argued that such a position failed to recognise the economic challenges facing the country.

“I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance on governance and economy,” Tinubu said.

He recalled that 27 state governments were unable to pay workers’ salaries before he assumed office in 2023 and depended heavily on the Federal Government.

Tinubu said the removal of the subsidy had provided governments with more resources to meet their responsibilities, including payment of salaries and pensions, infrastructure development, healthcare, education and other social services.

He noted that state governments remain closer to the people and therefore require sufficient resources to provide essential services to citizens.

The President announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The policy triggered widespread criticism following increases in petrol prices and the cost of living.

However, Tinubu has continued to defend the decision, arguing that it was necessary to protect the country’s economy from collapse.

In May, he said the removal of the subsidy helped avert an imminent national bankruptcy and created the foundation for economic recovery.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, also disclosed on Wednesday that the removal of the petrol subsidy generated ₦15.8 trillion in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

Oyedele explained that the amount did not appear as a separate credit in the Federation Account under the description “subsidy savings,” but represented resources made available to the Federation as a result of the policy.

The Federal Government maintains that the funds saved from subsidy removal have strengthened government finances and supported the implementation of economic and social programmes.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday presented his certificate of return to President Bola Tinubu during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Adeleke arrived at the Aso Villa at about 5:25 p.m., dressed in a navy-blue traditional outfit and carrying a walking stick. He arrived in a black Toyota Land Cruiser alongside National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The meeting marked Adeleke’s first encounter with President Tinubu since his re-election in the August 15 governorship election.

A photograph shared by Adeleke’s Special Assistant on Digital Media, Olalekan Badmus, showed the governor shaking hands with the President after the meeting.

The governor had received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday. During the presentation, he announced plans to establish a N500 million endowment fund for victims of election-related violence.

Adeleke was declared the winner of the election by INEC’s State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, after securing 511,067 votes.

He defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

The latest victory marks Adeleke’s second consecutive governorship election victory in Osun State, having won the 2022 election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.