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S’WEST APC LEADERS BACK SOUTHERN GOVERNORS’ POSITION ON OPEN GRAZING

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5 years ago

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…Reject separatist agitations; renew call for federalism, restructuring

…Sanwo-Olu hosts meeting of APC Govs, party leaders
Worried by unabated kidnapping and festering banditry threatening the peace of the nation, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the Southwest met in Lagos on Sunday to deliberate the way forward.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted the meeting, which was held behind closed doors for about five hours, at the State House in Marina. APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which was chaired by the former APC interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Others are Governors of Ogun and Osun states, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Gboyega Oyetola, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), and Chief Pius Akinyelure.

Coming out of the meeting, the APC leaders strongly condemned separatist agitations and hate speeches, avowing their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of the country.

They also threw their weight behind the position of Southern Governors on open grazing taken during a summit held on May 11, 2021 in Asaba, Delta State.

Chief Akande, who spoke on behalf of the APC leaders, said the attendees endorsed the ban on open grazing, as the decision would lessen tensions between farmers and herders, while also helping the long-term economic viability of both the farming and herding communities.

He said the party leaders were mindful of the short-term dislocation the ban on open grazing might cause, but added the Southern Governors’ decision was in the best interests of all parties concerned.

The party leaders urged the Federal Government to provide short, medium and long-term finance through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for States and private individuals who may wish to set up ranches as part of the agricultural sustainability policy.

He said: “We endorse the position of the Southern Governors taken at their summit in Asaba regarding ranching.

We do so because such a decision will lessen tensions between farmers and herders while also helping the long-term economic viability of both the farming and herding communities.

We are mindful of the short-term dislocation this might cause but we are also mindful that this position is in the best interests of all parties concerned.

“We recommend that the Federal and State Governments cooperate fully with one another to enact the necessary measures to encourage this more effective and modern method of cattle-rearing so that both farmers and herders can pursue their livelihoods with greater productivity and in a more cooperative relationship that minimises the friction between these two important pillars of our agricultural economy.”

The APC leaders expressed their concerns on security situation in the country, stressing that terrorism and criminality were threatening livelihoods of Nigerians adversely in many areas.

They urged the Federal Government to continue to allocate sufficient resources to enable the military and security agencies to tackle the security challenges.

The Southwest party leaders used the occasion to renew their call for restructuring and true federalism, where more power and resources are allocated to States to strengthen democratic governance and engender peace.

True federalism, they argued, will empower States to solve localised issues before they transform into national problem.

The party stalwarts said aside mitigating political competition for control of power, federalism would empower grassroots economic development and political reforms that will stand as bulwarks against the terrorism and criminality.

The communique reads in part: “For Nigeria to overcome the present challenges, we must do so with unity of purpose and action.

The desire for peace and the chance for a prosperous and just society is universal and transcends all regional, religious or ethnic divisions. Sadly, many public figures have made statements that spark division and undermine the needed unity of purpose.

“We urge government at all levels, security agencies, and public leaders across the country to do everything possible to prevent tension so that we sustain the necessary unity to defeat these challenges to our national security.

All responsible Nigerians must speak and act in a manner that strengthens our common cause against these common threats to our collective peace, justice and development.

“We restate our abhorrence of violence as a means to achieve either political or economic power and influence.

We strongly condemn violence of any form in any part of the country, regardless of ethnic or regional identity of the perpetrators of the violence or of the victims. Government must do all it can to protect potential victims and to assist those who have previously been victimized by terrorism or widespread banditry.

“We hold to the view that true federalism where more power and resources are allocated to the states will be an essential part in strengthening society and improving democratic governance so that we beat the present challenges but also engender durable peace and security. True federalism and the reallocation of resources and authority that comes with it will empower the states to solve localised issues before they spread and transform into national ones.”

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Benue Lawmaker Rejects FG’s Pilot Ranching Plan, Urges Enforcement of State Anti-Open Grazing Law

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August 13, 2026

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Hon. Arc. Dr. Asema Achado, Member of the House of Representatives for Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed pilot National Ranching Programme in Benue State, urging the state government and citizens to resist any arrangement that undermines the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017. The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, had announced that Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory were selected for the pilot phase, with rollout already commencing at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State. In a statement on Wednesday, Achado said while ranching remains a viable and modern approach to livestock production, Benue already has a comprehensive legal framework that must be respected. “Any federal intervention must respect the constitutional powers of the state and the provisions of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017,” he said. He noted that the law was enacted to protect lives and property, promote peaceful coexistence, safeguard agricultural production and encourage modern livestock management. It prohibits open grazing and uncontrolled movement of livestock while providing for the establishment and regulation of ranches. Citing the Land Use Act, 1978, and the 1999 Constitution, Achado said land management is vested in the Governor as trustee, and states have legislative competence on agriculture and land use under Part II of the Second Schedule, particularly items 17, 18 and 20. He therefore urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to “firmly protect Benue’s land, agricultural interests and existing legal regime,” stressing that “no ranching initiative should become a disguised mechanism for the acquisition or occupation of ancestral lands.” The lawmaker recalled that previous attempts to introduce similar schemes, including the RUGA initiative under the former administration, were strongly rejected by Benue people over concerns of land ownership, security and the protection of farming communities. He also cited the May 2025 positions of the Tiv and Idoma Traditional Councils calling for the removal of armed herders from the state and the protection of farming activities, warning that insecurity in Benue directly threatens food production and national food security. Achado further referenced judicial pronouncements, including Attorney-General of Benue State & Anor v. Attorney-General of the Federation & 2 Ors (FHC/MKD/CS/56/2019), as affirming the validity of the state’s anti-open grazing legislation. While rejecting the pilot as currently conceived, Achado acknowledged that the 2017 law could be strengthened. He proposed amendments to address gaps such as longer and clearer ranching lease provisions, financial and infrastructural support for low-capital livestock farmers, livestock identification and tracking mechanisms, and broader stakeholder consultation. He called on the Benue State Government to engage the Federal Government on a law-based partnership to support implementation of the state’s existing ranching framework, and to deploy federal security agencies to support enforcement pending the establishment of a State Police structure. “I reaffirm my commitment to protecting the constitutional rights, security, land and agricultural interests of the people of Benue State, while supporting sustainable and peaceful livestock production that respects the law of the State and promotes peaceful coexistence,” Achado said.

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Police Nab Lagos Pastor for Allegedly Defiling Church Member’s 2 Daughters

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August 12, 2026

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The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a pastor for allegedly defiling two daughters of a church member in the Isolo area of the state.

It was gathered that the suspect, who is the General Overseer and founder of the church, was apprehended following a petition dated July 28, by the father of the victims.

Following the petition, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

A police source told NAN on Wednesday, that the case was reported through a petition dated July 28, by the victims’ father, an adherent of the church, against the suspect.

The source said the suspect allegedly began having sexual intercourse with the petitioner’s eldest daughter when she was 13 years old.

”The pastor allegedly began having sexual intercourse with her at the church when she was 13 years old, and continued until she turned 16 and gained admission into the university,” the source said.

The source added that the sexual escapades of the suspect was exposed after he allegedly sexually assaulted the petitioner’s younger daughter, aged 14, on two occasions.

“This he allegedly did through indoctrinating the naive minor with manipulative biblical injunctions, a gimmick he used on the elder sister.

”After the assaults, the younger daughter reported the suspect to her parents.

”It was after the suspect was exposed that the eldest daughter also opened up to her parents, alleging that the pastor had been having sexual intercourse with her since she was 13 years old.

“The investigation is being handled by the Gender Section of the SCID, Yaba, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin,” he said.

The source said the suspect was subsequently apprehended and had allegedly confessed to the offences.

”The investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” the source added

Source: NAN

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Osun Police Summon Senator Fadahunsi Over Alleged Threat to Accord Party Members Ahead of Guber Poll

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August 12, 2026

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The Osun State Police Command has summoned the Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, over a viral video in which he was allegedly heard threatening members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The Command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed on Wednesday that the lawmaker had been summoned by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo.

“I can confirm that he (Fadahunsi) has been summoned by the CP. We will make a statement available regarding it,” Ojelabi said in a telephone interview.

The controversy followed two separate videos that circulated on social media on Tuesday.

In one video, Senator Fadahunsi, speaking in Yoruba at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa during a protest over the alleged killing of three APC members, said: “How many people have you seen the APC kill? We are here to tell you that until the day of the election, if we see any Accord member in Ilesa, we will kill them.”

In a second video, the APC candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency for the 2027 elections, Francis Eniade, was heard addressing a campaign rally. Speaking in Yoruba, he said: “I swear to God, anyone who is not an APC member should not come out on election day. Accord Party can’t vote in Odo-Otin. I am the one who said so.”

Reacting, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, described Senator Fadahunsi’s remarks as a “national security threat” and demanded his immediate arrest.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke said: “The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving Senator, Francis Fadahunsi, who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters and their families. In the video, the Senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children.

“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr President through the Office of the National Security Adviser.”

The governor said he had raised the matter with the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and that the IGP confirmed the existence of the video and assured him of immediate action.

Senator Fadahunsi, in a statement personally signed by him, denied making a call for indiscriminate killings and accused political opponents of manipulating the video.

He said his attention had been drawn to an edited clip being circulated by Davido on TikTok and Pelumi Olajengbesi on other platforms.

“I made reference to one Rogba, who was killed in Esa-Oke by his co-cultists. The governor had referred to the deceased as his son and was also engaged in a disagreement with a sitting member of the House of Representatives on live television,” he stated.

“My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. All those being killed are Nigerians and, indeed, sons and daughters of the same communities. I stated unequivocally that if our party members are killed again, we will not simply fold our arms and watch. We will defend our people, even if such an incident occurs on election day.

“Unfortunately, Davido and Olajengbesi took less than two minutes from a speech that lasted about 24 minutes and circulated it to achieve cheap political objectives. This is a clear case of deliberate misrepresentation and manipulation.”

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