A lot has been said about Ruga settlement for herdsmen. While I may not be among the decision makers proposing such a solution to this incessant herdsmen problem I think I have a little understanding why it is being proposed. I must confess this solution may lead to a greater problem in the long run but it is better to propose a solution than to be insensitive to the people's yearning. No one knows, this may actually be a long lasting solution to the ragging herdsmen problem and it may not but is it not worth the risk.
The Governors opposing this move are hypocrites and some Nigerians speaking against it really don't know the legal issue underpinning the herdsmen grazing settlements in state across the country. For all those who said because the president is a Fulani man he is forcing state to give lands to herdsmen are mentally deranged and knows not what they say.
The law is clear, the state makes her own law and she is guided by those law. Though it is trite that when a law conflicts with an act, the act overrides the law but in some situations the act will have to persuade the law and not just oppress it.
The reason why I said Governors opposing it are hypocrites is this; land use act of 1978 despite been an act vest all lands in the state Government. They are the major beneficiaries of that law. The federal government does not have a land under that law. For what ever land the Fed. Govt. wants the Fed. will always consult with the state Govt. to oblige her. Had the law vest lands in the Fed. the way it does to states under that law, the Fed. won't even turn to the state to resolve a problem facing Nigerians as a whole. Nigeria is a Country, the state is what make up the country, why do we not always see ourselves as one first and then play politics latter.
The Governors have refused to give a viable solution to the herdsmen problem, the only solution is by enacting anti grazing law which can not work because Fulanis are Nigerians and the law that gives the states power to make such laws also gives the Fulanis the right to movement in any part of Nigeria and carry out their trade or businesses in any part of the country. Do we now see the dilemma the federal government faces. The Fed. cannot prevent the state from making anti grazing law neither can she curtail the fundamental human right of the Fulanis without a cogent and justifiable reason.
The best solution yet is still the one proposed by the federal Government asking the state Governors to oblige the herdsmen some portion of land for grazing. This will curtail the seamless roaming of the herdsmen across states. Once you leave the portion of grazing land provided by the state for a private citizen's land then the state anti grazing law can take effect. Without this anti grazing law will not work.
Nice write up
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