Constitutionally I can’t force states to donate land for cattle colonies –Buhari

As the vexed issue of the Federal Government’s move to establish cattle colonies across the country remains a national discourse, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that constitutionally he only has power to control land in Abuja .

According to him, he does not have the constitutional powers to create cattle colonies in any part of the country under the Land Use Act of 1978.

Buhari was making efforts to explain that his government cannot on its own established cattle colonies across the country without the cooperation of the state governors and local government chairman who are vested with powers under Land Use Act to control lands in the urban and rural areas of the states.

He stated this in Port Harcourt at the South-South Zonal meeting of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG), where he was represented by his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang.

Speaking on behalf of Buhari, Enang said, “Before Nigeria was formed as a country, we had cattle routes running from Chad, Niger and others down to the Atlantic. When Nigeria became four regions, we had cattle routes in each of the regions.

“When Nigeria created states, each of the states made laws to regulate rearing of animals. In 1978, under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as head of state, March 28, I think I am correct, the Land Use Act was made. Under the Land Use Act, the President of Nigeria has power to control lands in Abuja only.

“Under the Land Use Act, each state governor, under Section 2 of the Land Use Act, land in urban areas of each of the state of the Federation shall be vested on the governor. Now, subsection 1(2b) says land in the rural areas shall be vested on the local government chairman of that area.”

He further noted that the commitment to fight corruption prompted its actions in tackling theft, diversion and misappropriation of public funds, adding that his administration has diversified the nation’s economy for sustained growth.

READ ALSO: Northern elders shop for Buhari’s replacement

He “Not only did we ease out of an inevitable recession in record time, our revenue profile, our foreign reserves and foreign investments are all on the rise again; and we have paid mobilized contractors back to project sites across the country, including the South-South Zone.”

Also speaking at the event, a former member of the House of Representatives and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ogbonna Nwuke, argued that by records of the present government that Buhari had proven to the people of South-South and South-East geopolitical zones that he is a friend and not an enemy.

Nwuke, then assured that the people of Niger Delta would vote for Buhari should he declare to seek re-election.

 

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