The enforcement of the prohibition on the transportation of cattle in Anambra State, according to the sociopolitical organization Igbo Youths for Positive Change, will be in the state’s best interests overall.
The group emphasized that the restriction was not implemented for “evil purposes” but rather for the sake of the Anambra people and added that the prohibition had become permanent.
The group was responding to a request for the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to overturn the decision to begin enforcing the ban made by members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, South-East zone.
But on Tuesday, the group’s National President, Mr. Chinedu Obigwe, praised Soludo for the choice while speaking to journalists in Awka.
The Anambra people and followers of the Miyetti Allah will only be encouraged to live in harmony and peace as a result of the implementation, Obigwe emphasized.
He said it was fortunate that the Miyetti Allah group recognized in their appeal that Soludo’s administration had started planting a lot of trees in the state to stop erosion and that they had told their members to watch out for their cattle so that they wouldn’t destroy the newly planted trees.
He said, “It is good that they acknowledged one of the reasons that made Soludo to ban the movement of cows in Anambra. But the truth is that the governor has many reasons for banning the movement of cows in Anambra.
“The number one reason is for the enforcement of the Cattle and other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill of Anambra State that was assented to by the immediate past governor, Willie Obiano’s administration in 2021.
“Soludo has been emphasising that under his watch, Anambra will be a state governed with laws and that lawlessness will not be tolerated under his watch.”
He emphasized that the anti-open grazing law has been in effect since 2021, noting that Soludo had simply ordered the law’s enforcement.
Since the members of Miyetti Allah professed to be law-abiding individuals, he instructed them to follow all applicable laws.
The group claims that Soludo’s prohibition on the transportation of cows within the state was made in the state’s best interests and was not intended to target any individual or ethnic group.
“For us, we will say that Soludo deserves commendation for having the courage and boldness to order for the enforcement of 2021 anti-open grazing law of Anambra State.
“It is good that our beloved governor has the strong will to do what is right and what is in the best interest of Anambra people.
“The members of the Miyetti Allah should not politicise the harmless decision of our governor.
“That decision to ban the movement of cows in Anambra is harmless, rather it will promote peaceful coexistence and harmonious living between the members of Miyetti Allah and ndi Anambra,” he added.
