News
Anti Grazing Bill Debate, No Solution – Obaseki
By Ikhili Monday EBALU, City
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday Said the solution to Nomadic problems in the state was not contained in the Anti grazing bill currently before the state house of assembly.
Governor Obaseki who was represented by the Solicitor General of the state, Wole Iyamu made this known during a public hearing organized by Edo house of assembly on a bill for a law to establish control of Nomadic cattle rearing in the state.
Obaseki said the state government has absolutely nothing to do with the bill adding that, if the bill had gone through the rigor that executive bills go through, it would not have generated so many controversies.
“The bill did not address the problems on ground. The bill fails to define who nomadic farmers are. The failure of the bill to define grazing can ruin the purpose of a bill during litigation.
“The bill is supposed to outlive us if it is properly drafted. Land is fundamental to the people, therefore when you begin to touch issues that concern land; you need to be very careful.
“The bill did not define who designates land for ranching because government does not own land; it only holds land in trust for the people
“If there is a provision in the bill that empowers government to designate land for ranching, then, consent of government would be sought”, he said.
According to him, the solution to the problems of the Nomadic cattle rearers is not contained in the bill.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo chapter, Mr Oyenude Kuru said that the bill did not represent the interest of Edo people.
Kuru noted that the proposed grazing bill violates the land use act in the state adding that, the law empowers only the local government to allocate lands for agricultural purposes.
He noted that some sections of the bill empowers and protect the herdsmen against the Edo people.
Kuru, however, explained that the proposed grazing bill portrays danger for present and future generations of the state.
Also, the representative of the Oba of Benin, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri said that the Oba did not ask him to contribute to the debate but to observe the proceedings.
Edebiri , however, expressed reservations over seeming disagreement between the executive and the legislature on the bill
Earlier, the Speaker, Justin Okonoboh said the essence of the public hearing was to get the input of the public to draft the bill.
Okonoboh assured the people that the views of the participants would be adopted holistically in the interest of the state.
The public hearing is expected to continue on Friday, July 7 at the House.
Meanwhile, a group under the auspices of Almagamention of Concern Edo Professionals stormed the premises of the State House of Assembly, venue for the public hearing of the bill seeking to establish cattle rearing and grazing and urged the House to kill the bill
The group comprises of Christian Association of Nigeria, Civil Society, Market Women, Professionals, Students who equally staged a peaceful protest to the Government House said the bill, its contents are not only anti- people but a plot to take what belongs to the people to an individual or group of persons
They also kicked against attempt by anybody to divide the people of the State through religious sentiment, adding that any further move by the House to forge ahead with the bill is tantamount to selling the destiny of Edo child
Spoke person for the Group, Gbenga Alege, decried the recent evasion, killings and the gruesome murder of 74 years old woman who was raped by Fulani herdsmen, and prevailed on the State Assembly to emulate the National Assembly other states were the bill was thrown out.
“We cannot cede any part of our land to these people and government has no business doing same. If we keep quit we are selling the future of our children. We have the support of Oba of Benin and the backing of the 1999 constitution”
One of the protesters, Isaac Omoregbe, said he abandoned his farm worth N500,000 for fear of being kill following the nefarious activities of the herdsmen while life remain unbearable for him and his entire family.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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