The Bishop of Ihiala, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, Prof Israel Okoye, has urged the electorate in the state not to vote for any candidate with open grazing agenda in the November 6 governorship election in the state.
While describing the election of such a candidate as a time bomb, the cleric warned that any support for open grazing would lead to acute food scarcity.
Okoye, a professor of political science at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, said this during the second session of the fourth synod of the diocese held at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Ihiala.
The bishop described the debate on open grazing and allied matters as an unfortunate preoccupation and distraction from some fundamental issues on the economy, education, justice, equity, leadership and others, that needed to be addressed urgently.
He said: “Although cattle rearing is key in animal husbandry, its politicization and seeming treatment as a national obligation has attracted objection and resentment.
“The assumption that the constitution confers on cattle the right of movement on Nigerian roads and communities is untrue. Another erroneous stance is that cattle rearing is supported by the federal government, such that herders must be allowed to traverse any part of the country with their cattle as a guarantee for peace.
“Armed cattle herders now migrate with their cattle to any place of their choice, occupy forests without the consent of the government in charge to graze their cattle on people’s farms, where they kill, maim and rape women with impunity.
“The widely held feet-dragging of the federal government in arresting the fast-spreading dastardly acts of the armed Fulani herdsmen engendered ill feelings among the affected populations.”
Okoye charged the 17 Southern Governors to stick to their promise of ensuring the passage of the anti-open grazing law in their areas, reminding them that as chief security officers of their respective states, they owed their people the duty of protection at all times.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has said it has no business with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC regarding the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
IPOB spoke on the heels of a statement from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it is coming to negotiate or dialogue with IPOB over the forthcoming election.
IPOB in a press release made available to journalists in Awka, by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful insisted that IPOB family worldwide is oblivious of the existence of INEC.
The group wondered why INEC want to drag it into the election saying that it has nothing to do with the election the election umpire is conducting.
The statement partly read; “INEC should face what is facing it and leave IPOB alone. We didn’t dialogue with Nigeria government let alone INEC.
“We found laughable the declaration by the Nigeria police that they are coming to Anambra State governoship elections on 6th of November with 33,000 personnel and 8 helicopters to kill Igbo citizens on that day.
“This statement from Fulani controlled police IGP shows how prepared they are to kill our people and also a clear indication that Nigerian police and the fulani cabal do not want the election in Anambra to hold.
“We also want to place on record that the plan by the Nigerian police to deploy over 33,000 police and three helicopters, among others to Anambra State for the November 6 governoship election, is another ploy to kill more innocent Biafrans. This confirms our fears and earlier intelligence that the Fulani controlled security agents have perfected plans to use the election to force more Biafra youths to their early grave.
“We therefore, wish to advise Biafrans in Anambra State to be very cautious of this wicked plot and don’t play into their hands.”
