Abia will not cede Any Part of Her Territory as Colony for Cattle – Governor Ikpeazu

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has raised his opposition to plans by the federal government to establish ‘cattle colonies’ across the country, noting that no part of the state will be ceded for the practice.

The federal government had proposed the measure to curb the incessant killings in some parts of the country as a result of disagreements between Fulani Herdsmen and farmers.

But given his objection to plans to establish cattle colonies in the state, Mr. Ikpeazu through a statement signed by his Chief Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, said he is not prepared to release lands which are not enough for the agricultural activities of the people of the state for the proposed practice.

“We reject any plan to establish cattle colonies for herdsmen in Abia State,” Mr. Appolos quoted the governor to have noted.

“We don’t have enough land for our agricultural activities and our people want more land,” he added.

Mr. Ikpeazu explained that agreeing with the federal government plans would have been unjust and unfair to the people of the state, who he noted are largely farmers, observing that the establishment of cattle colonies will result in crises.

“Giving away any part of Abia land as a colony to herdsmen, wherever they may be from, will be most unjust and unfair treatment to Abia State and her people who are largely farmers,” he said

“Such alien land occupation will also cause unrest and crisis that may grow beyond what we can handle when it happens, so the best thing I think we should do is to reject such plans so that those behind it will know that Abia State is not party to it.”

Credit: Sarafa Ibrahim