Benue PDP Urges Alia’s Government to Enforce Anti-Open Grazing Law Amid Rising Insecurity

The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently enforce the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law in the face of escalating security crises threatening lives and livelihoods across Benue communities.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the PDP described the worsening attacks on rural communities as a direct threat to peace, safety, and sustainable development in the state, warning that inaction could further embolden violent elements.

“We reaffirm our steadfast support for the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, enacted in 2017 after extensive consultations and deliberations as the most effective and sustainable solution to Benue’s security challenges,” the statement read.

The party emphasized that the law was designed to promote peace, security, and economic stability and remains a vital instrument to safeguard the state’s agricultural resources.

“It is crucial to communicate clearly to the Federal Government, and especially to the President of Nigeria, that there is no vacant land in Benue State to be allocated to those who threaten our peace and survival as a people. Our land is sacred—an ancestral heritage that sustains our livelihoods—and we will not yield to external pressures or intimidation,” the PDP stated.

The party urged Governor Alia to demonstrate the political will to uphold and enforce the law in full, warning against any attempts to weaken or repeal its provisions.

“While we acknowledge the committee set up by President Bola Tinubu to review this matter, the time for endless deliberations is over. Our people deserve immediate, decisive action. Delay is no longer an option,” the statement stressed.

Reiterating its position, the PDP described the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law as the cornerstone of Benue’s strategy to resolve the lingering security crisis.

“We call on all relevant authorities to ensure its full enforcement to guarantee the safety, security, and prosperity of our communities,” the statement added.