Tiv Youth Organisation replies defence minister over comment
Sequel to a call by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali to President Mohammadu Buhari to repeal the Anti Open Grazing law promulgated by the Benue State Government, a social cultural association called Tiv Youths Organization (TYO) yesterday lampooned the minister describing him as agent sponsored to destroy the Nigerian Federalism.
President General of TYO comrade Timothy Hembaor while replying the minister during a press conference in Makurdi expressed disappointment that such statement is coming from a leader who supposedly should be a defender of all Nigerians against impunity of some.
Comrade pointed out that it is unfortunate given the fact that open grazing had also been discouraged by the Northern Governors Forum and the National Economic Council stating that such an advice was only aimed at creating confusion and anarchy as the debate over same had long ago been laid to rest.
The President General said he was shocked over the Defence Minister’s comments which he noted were ridiculous and absurd.
He added that ”We are constrained to believe that the Defence Minister is a key part of the perceived conspiracy against the peace loving people of Benue and other states.”
He continued that ”As a State that gave President Muhammadu Buhari an edge in the 2015 general elections, we demand that the retired Col. Mansur Dan Ali resigns his position as Nigeria’s Defence Minister immediately and tender an unreserved apology to the people of Benue and other states which have made laws to embrace ranching as the best solution for animal husbandry.
”The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 enacted by Benue State has come to stay and any attempt to force the suspension of the legislation will be vehemently resisted by the people”, observed.
