Kogi East Stakeholders Rejects ‎Establishment of Cattle Colonies

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Leaders and stakeholders from Kogi East senatorial district has rejected plans by the state government to establish cattle colonies in the zone.
In a communique released at the end of the Kogi East stakeholders meeting in Abuja, the leaders kicked against the proposed inclusion of Fulanis in Kogi state traditional council.
The meeting convened by the Senator representing Kogi East, Atai Aidoko Ali, had in attendance technocrats, academic, politicians, opinion molders, pressure groups and civil society groups.
The stakeholders meeting under the chairmanship of General Patrick Akpa (rtd) also had in attendance Senator Aidoko, the three members of House of Representatives from Kogi East; Emmanuel Egwu, Benjamin Ikani Okolo and Hassan Omale. Seven members of Kogi State House of Assembly from the zone joined the chairman and other federal lawmakers to sign the communique.
The meeting berated Governor Yahaya Bello for going ahead to allocate 15,000 hectares of land in the state for the cattle colony despite all-round rejection of the proposal by the people of the state.
The stakeholders resolved that the establishment of cattle colonies, re-christened as cattle cities, is illegal and unconstitutional as cattle breeding is a private business and should be viewed in that regard rather than forcefully acquiring lands from the people for that purpose.
They argued that the idea of establishing cattle colonies, aside being alien, is another move to re-colonise the people of Kogi East.
They explained that the age-long dispute resolution mechanism and strategies of living together with herdsmen in Kogi East should be employed in the current situation.
The leaders warned Kogi state government that establishment of cattle colonies in Kogi East can generate needless strife.
On the inclusion of Fulanis in the various traditional council of the area, the meeting opined ‎the monarchical system evolved traditionally and historically as is obtainable in other parts of the world in line with the customs and tradition of the people.
The meeting pointed out that there is a law in place that guide the operation of natives and customs that has not been amended, hence the unilateral decision of the government to include Fulanis in the decision making organ of the people of the area is an aberration that is capable of overheating the relative peace enjoyed in Kogi East.
The stakeholders commended the efforts of the convener of the meeting.

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