Lawyers under the aegis of Anambra State Indigenous Lawyers Forum (ASILF) have commended Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for rejecting the controversial ranching being proposed by the Federal Government.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, ASILF President, Mr. Joe Nwokedi said the rejection of the ranching scheme “is in line with the wishes of Anambra people. The proposed establishment of ranches across the country for cattle breeders is not only obnoxious but unconstitutional,” he said. “Having traversed the entire gamut of the nation’s constitution, there is no provision which compels State Governors to forcefully donate lands for the establishment of ranches.”

The firebrand lawyer and human rights activist noted that cattle breeding is a private business. “As such, the Federal Government should not blackmail or coerce Governors or deploy public funds to promote some private businesses over another.”
Nwokedi noted that the Igbo buy lands wherever they settle “and oftentimes even provide the needed infrastructure to make such properties liveable. It is unheard of that the government donates other private citizens’ lands to them in pursuit of their businesses.

In his contribution, ASILF Vice President, Mrs. Chioma Ferguson said the association would go to court to challenge any state in the South East that cedes any portion of land for the purpose.

She said there was not enough land for farming in the South East, let alone for ranching. She said Governor Obiano and other South East governors must not succumb to threats by the Federal Government to cede land for ranching.

Adding his voice to the calls, ASILF Legal Adviser, Mr. Chuks Nnalugha also commended Governor Obiano for his developmental strides, adding that his “legacies in office are unparalleled.”
Nnalugha appealed to the Governor to ensure that the Anambra Airport project is completed on schedule “as the facility will greatly fast track the development of the state.”

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