Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said that the Nigerian constitution allows every citizen to live wherever they please, adding that citizens do not need the permission of any governor to reside in any part of the country.
He specifically made reference to the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, saying citizens do not need his permission to live in the forests in the South-west state.
Mohammed stated this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Friday.
He said, “Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere. You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”
Recall that Akeredolu had ordered all herdsmen to vacate the forest reserves or register with the state government, all in a bid to sanitize the state’s forests of killer herdsmen accused of sundry crimes such as kidnappings, killings, rape, amongst others.
His action generated outrage, including the Presidency and some governors saying Akeredolu lacked the right to issue a vacation notice to herders in the state.
