Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has recalled the measures his administration introduced to address conflicts involving herders and farmers, saying his government enacted a law prohibiting open cattle grazing across the state and established a ranching system as part of efforts to improve security and protect farming communities.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Fayose explained that the policy was introduced following reports of attacks and fatalities in farming settlements, adding that his administration acted within the framework of the law to address security concerns while maintaining respect for all ethnic groups and communities in the state.
“When I was governor of Ekiti, I made a law at the time. I was the first to make a law in this country that there would be no cattle roaming in my state. I created a ranch, went to the House of Assembly, and made a law. Under that law, the moment we found you with cattle, we took over the cattle. I took them over and made arrests because a few people were killed in farming settlements. I arrested more than 67 Fulanis. Within three months, we were able to jail 17 people, 15 of whom were Fulanis. I am not indicting the Fulani because Fulani people are great people. They are good people. I am not indicting anybody, and this is not out of fear. But when they saw that I was not joking, the Emir of Kano sent emissaries, and the former governor of Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, came to Ekiti. They also sent emissaries from Sokoto to talk to me. They asked, ‘Why am I jailing Fulanis?’”
According to him, the enforcement of the law led to discussions with traditional and political leaders from different parts of the country who sought engagement with his administration over the implementation of the policy and its impact on herders operating within Ekiti State…..See More
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