The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday, lambasted governors of the Southern region for banning open grazing, adding that Northern governors can as well ban spare parts trading in their region.
Malami said banning open grazing in the South is the same as banning spare parts trading in the Northern region considering the fact that Southerners make up majority of spare parts traders in the North.
The AGF said this during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Wednesday.
Recall that about 17 southern governors, who met in Asaba, Delta State, last week, resolved to ban open grazing and the movement of cattle by foot in the region. They claimed some kidnappings and killings in the Southern region had been traced to criminal elements amongst herders.
However, the resolutions made by the governors garnered criticism especially in the North, with many including the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; Senator Ali Ndume, amongst others, condemning the ban.
Speaking on Wednesday, Malami said, “It is about constitutionality. Within the context of the freedoms enshrined in our constitution, can you deny a right of a Nigerian? It is as good as saying may be the Northern governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a Northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the North?
“If you are talking of a constitutionally guaranteed right, the better approach to it is perhaps to go back and ensure that the constitution is amended. The freedom and liberty of movement, amongst others is established by the constitution.
“If by an inch, you want to have any compromise, the better approach is to go back to the National Assembly for open grazing to be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment in that respect but it is a very dangerous position for any governor in Nigeria to think that he can bring about any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around.”
