The Edo Civil Society Organisations on Monday staged a peaceful rally to protest an alleged plan to cede 20 per cent of the state’s land for the National Livestock Transformation Programme codenamed RUGA by the Godwin Obadeki-led administration to the Federal Government.
Members of the organisations took off from the King Square, Museum Ground to the Edo State House of Assembly and later to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
They stated that not an inch of Edo land would be ceded to cattle business.
The protesters, who were led by the interim Chairman, The Extended Council (, EDOCSO, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Marcus Onubum, warned that if the Assembly passes such law ceding some of the state’s land to RUGA, such law would hurt and hunt all.
Ochei, who told the Speaker that Edo is only the southern state left to pass into law the anti-open grazing bill as agreed at Asaba by the 17 southern governors in 2021, urged the House not to pass a bill that would leave Edo people in the hands of “killer herdsmen.”
While stating that they came to the House of Assembly after making their position known to the governor and the House twice with no response, Ochei said, “Our position is, we have no place for cattle rearing in Edo State.
“Those who want to rear cattle should buy land for themselves, fence it and keep their cattle there. Cattle should not be seen roaming the streets.”
“Those that are into farming such as piggery, snail rearing and others bought the land they use for such farming. Government does not give them an inch, so cattle rearing should not be different.”
Receiving members of the organisations at the Assembly complex, Onubun, said the lawmakers would not pass any bill that is against the interest of the people.
While stating that the House is there to protect the interest of the over four million Edo people, he said, “We cannot take any position outside the position of the people.
“Let me assure you on behalf my colleagues that Edo is Edo, and for the fact is Edo is Edo, we will do everything within our power to defend the interest of the over four million Edo people, and again to assure you that not in our time, and we do not encourage anyone to cede any inch of Edo land to anybody.”
