Stakeholders, Including Afenifere, Ohanaeze, and Arewa Youths, Take Firm Stand on New Livestock Ministry

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to establish the Ministry of Livestock Development has sparked diverse reactions from stakeholders.

While constitutional lawyer Madubuachi Idam views Tinubu’s decision as duplicative and wasteful, organizations like the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Afenifere, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo see it as a positive step toward resolving the long-standing farmers-herders conflict.

Tinubu created the ministry ten months after establishing the presidential committee on Livestock to address clashes between herders and farmers and to strengthen the livestock and dairy industries. The committee was set up following recommendations from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria, chaired by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.

Over the years, clashes between farmers and herders have resulted in significant loss of lives and property across states like Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Enugu, Imo, Delta, and Oyo.

During the ministry’s inauguration, Tinubu expressed confidence in its potential to resolve the conflict, saying, “Who says the solution is far? I say, ‘No, the solution is here.’”

Critics and Concerns

Activist lawyer Madubuachi Idam criticized the new ministry as an unnecessary duplication, suggesting it should have been integrated into the Ministry of Agriculture. He argued that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service under the Ministry of Agriculture could adequately handle livestock issues.

Idam emphasized that the real problem lies in the government’s lack of willpower to prevent pastoralists from invading farmlands. He called for engagement with traditional and religious leaders to address the crisis effectively.

Support and Optimism

The AYCF, represented by National President Yerima Shettima, welcomed the new ministry, seeing it as a sign that Tinubu’s administration is committed to resolving the farmers-herders conflict. Shettima highlighted the need for a dedicated ministry to develop policies and check excesses.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kaduna State, through its Director of Media and Strategy, Ibrahim Bayero Zango, also supported the ministry, believing it will gradually reduce the conflict and enhance livestock management.

Political and Economic Implications

Ohanaeze factional Secretary-General Okechukwu Isiguzoro viewed the ministry as a political move to appease Northern opposition and empower herders. He dismissed claims of duplication, arguing that the Ministry of Agriculture has failed to address the crisis.

Afenifere’s spokesman, Comrade Jare Ajayi, also supported the initiative, noting that any step to end the farmers-herders conflict is welcome, provided it does not compromise local interests.

Ajayi acknowledged that while the creation of a new ministry might seem inappropriate amidst cost-cutting measures, the potential benefits could outweigh the costs. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the ministry achieves its objectives.

In summary, Tinubu’s creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development has elicited mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a necessary step to resolve a persistent crisis and others criticizing it as an unnecessary duplication of existing efforts.