Politics
Benue Government’s failure to enforce open-grazing law encourages bandits’ attacks on communities — Senator Zam
The senator representing Benue North West senatorial district, Titus Tartengar Zam, has attributed the lack of enforcement of the Open-Grazing Law Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to the brazen attacks by bandits disguising as herders on Benue communities.
Rising on Order 51 of Senate Rules, the lawmaker lamented the attack on Gyaruwa community in Gwer Local Government Council of Benue State by bandits, which led to the killing of scores of victims.
Irked by the attack, Senator Zam stated that irate youths resorted to wanton destruction of property, including his residence, the palaces of monarchs, and the houses of other prominent individuals, alleging that political leaders in the state had failed them.
The lawmaker said: “However, the inability of the present administration in Benue State to enforce the law has exposed members of the National Assembly from Benue State to undue pressure and name-calling by our constituents. This situation has emboldened the bandits and further worsened the security situation in Benue State and beyond.
“The Senate is aware that the peace-loving people of Gyaruwa community in the aforementioned Local Government Area of Benue State were invaded by bandits masquerading as herders on Monday, 10th March 2025, resulting in the killing of four persons.
“It is also aware that yesterday, irate youths took to the streets in protest against the continued killings of the people and the government’s seeming inability to protect them.
“The Senate may further note that, in anger and frustration, the youths burned down the Gwer Local Government Secretariat, the palace of the paramount ruler of the Local Government Area, my private residence, and the houses of other prominent sons of the Local Government Area, accusing us of failing to safeguard the community.
“Aware that I have on several occasions moved motions and presented views on this subject, including being accused of advocating open-grazing prohibition and running this establishment, which is awaiting public hearing. The Senate is also aware that the Benue State House of Assembly has enacted an open-grazing prohibition law, which still subsists.”
He called for intervention by the Federal Government to prevent further carnage, as tension continues to grip the community.
His counterpart representing the Benue South senatorial district and the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, corroborated his position, stating that the Open-Grazing Law enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly has not been implemented.
Following contributions by the lawmakers, Senator Victor Umeh, in his prayers, suggested the establishment of a military outpost to curb incessant attacks on the community, noting that some communities in Benue State have been under siege by bandits for the past eleven years.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio affirmed the prayers and urged the Federal Government to swiftly establish a military outpost.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
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