Coalition of Igbo groups demands anti-open grazing laws in Igbo land

His Excellencies,

The Executive governor of Abia State,
The Executive governor of Anambra State,
The Executive governor of Delta State,
The Executive governor of Ebonyi State,
The Executive governor of Imo State

THE GLOBAL IGBO LEADERS (GIL) DEMANDS FOR ENACTMENT OF ANTI-OPEN GRAZING LAWS AS DECIDED BY THE SOUTHERN GOVERNORS’ FORUM.

The Global Igbo Leaders (GIL) is an assembly of leaders representing recognized Igbo organizations worldwide. The GIL was set up by the organizations as a non-politically and non-religiously affiliated group to represent Igbo organizations and interests Worldwide (Home and Abroad) and to assure grassroot support and participation in the direction, decision making, leadership processes of Igbos and Igbo affairs worldwide.

On February 1, 2021, the governors of the South-East States of Nigeria announced that open grazing of cattle had been banned in their states. By this announcement, the South East Governors gave the people of the region a renewed hope.

The governors even claimed that each of their states has enacted a law to give the ban a legal backing to enforce the Anti-grazing Law. On July 5, 2021, the Southern Governors Forum resolved that by September 1 2021, all member States shall have enacted Anti Open Grazing Laws.

As at today in Igbo speaking states, only Enugu and Rivers states have taken steps to act on these pronouncements. Both states have passed the law and we warmly congratulate them for working towards protecting the lives of Ndiigbo.

In spite of the September 1st 2021 target date having passed, other member States have not given an indication of when they would enact the law. We note that Imo and Abia state have laws that were enacted a number of years ago. It is important that they be amended to reflect the nature of today’s challenges.

Several organizations including the Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU), Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Igbo World Assembly (IWA), World Igbo Congress (WIC), Anioma Redemption Group, Igbo Board of Deputies, One Voice Women Group UK and prominent Igbo Personalities have raised their concerns about the governors’ inability to enact the law and to enforce the ban on open grazing as they had promised Ndigbo.

The Global Igbo Leaders (GIL), is adding their strongest support to the other groups who had expressed their concern over the inaction of the governors

Cows still parade the roads of Alaigbo at will, even near Government Houses; they brazenly invade schools’ premises, offices, among other public establishments. More importantly, cows still commonly invade farmlands and private premises leading to clashes with farmers and people trying to protect their properties.

As governors you were elected to protect the properties and lives of the citizens of Alaigbo.

The GIL wishes to remind you, our governors, that President Buhari’s kinsmen in Katsina Emirate have banned open grazing and have put machineries in place to enforce it. If Buhari’s Kinsmen could take steps to protect northern lives and properties, what are our governors waiting for to protect IGBO lives and properties? A number of southern states have also passed the anti-open grazing laws. What are our governors waiting for?

People are asking questions and Global Igbo Leaders (GIL) are now asking the same questions.

As Igbo Leaders, we are asking why the governors of Alaigbo treat Ndigbo with DISDAIN?

The economic lifelines of Ndigbo are being destroyed, the lives and orderliness of Igbo society and community system are being threatened, Igbo security and ability to defend ourselves is being tested. Ndigbo are being provoked daily and our governors pretend nothing is happening and continue to treat Ndigbo with DISDAIN.

The GIL challenges the silence of our governors and their inability to fulfill their promises to Ndigbo.

We sincerely want to know why.

Signed

GIL Organizations

1. Igbo World Assembly (IWA)
2. World Igbo Congress (WIC)
3. Association of South East (Igbo) Town Unions (ASETU)
4. Council of Igbo States in America (CISA).
5. Anioma Redemption Group.
6. European Igbo community (EIC)
7. One Voice Women Group
8. Ekwe nche USA
9. Igbo Board of Deputies
10. Council of Igbo Communities (CIC)
11. Igbo Hebrew Heritage
12. Gideon Africa Team (GAT).
13. Ho! Ha! Organization