Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on creation of grazing routes and grazing areas in States of the Federation, governor Samuel Ortom said his administration would approach the law court over the matter.
The governor said that the Land Use Act 1976 was very clear on land ownership, insisting that he will stop the violation of the Act.
Ortom spoke on Sunday at the Makurdi Airport while interacting with journalists when he returned from Delta State where he attended the burial of the father of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Ortom said any attempt to subvert the rights of Benue people and his right as a governor would be meted with resistance in Court, saying cattle routes President Buhari talked about was not existing in Benue State.
According to the governor, States have started enacting anti-open grazing laws, hence, Buhari’s insistence on cattle route was counterproductive, adding that in the 21st century, nobody talks about open grazing anymore.
He called on Buhari’s lieutenants to advise him against creating cattle routes so that things will work well.
He pointed out that food crisis has hit the nation as a reault of insecurity, adding that if nothing was donee urgently, Nigeria would experience full blown famine.
Reacting to questions at the airport, he told journalists that the abysmal performance of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration at the centre had provided an opportunity for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as an alternative to provide purposeful leadership for Nigeria in 2023.
