The Candidates: What Buhari, Atiku Said On Plans To Solve Herdsmen Crisis

The presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have offered explanations on how they intend to solve the herdsmen-farmers clashes in parts of the country.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the PDP, alongside his vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had appeared on a programme “The Candidates” on Wednesday night where he responded to questions on how he’ll end the Fulani herdsmen crisis.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the candidate of the APC, alongside his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had also previously appeared on the TV programme to tell Nigerians why they should be re-elected into office in the February 16 election.

Both the PDP and APC candidates were fielded with questions on the herdsmen crisis at the different times they appeared on the programme. Below are their responses to the issue:

– Atiku Abubakar –

Asked on his take on states that have passed anti-grazing laws and how he intends to solve the herdsmen crisis, Atiku said: “We have to look at the constitutionality of those laws. I’m not sure whether they come with the provisions of our constitution which guarantees freedom of movement, the right to reside wherever you want in the country and so on, and so forth. So we have to look at that.

“The constitution does not restrict the movement of people in Nigeria, so any law that restrict people from moving freely and doing their legitimate business can’t be upheld.

“I believe that the best solution to the farmers/herders clashes is to try and enlighten our herdsmen on the use of feeding lots. These feeding lots can conveniently be established all over the country.

“It is an old problem, dating back to the days of the prophets. America faced the same problem. Eventually, the solution is the establishment of feeding lots all over the country,” said the PDP presidential candidate.

– President Muhammadu Buhari –

During his appearance on the programme on January 16, President Buhari responded briefly to the question by saying that the government foresaw the herdsmen-farmers clashes currently being experienced a long time ago. Buhari said the encroachment on grazing routes had been seen on the maps.

Unsatisfied with the President’s response, the show moderator Kadariah Ahmed asked him to respond to allegations that his administration has been biased towards Fulani herdsmen and has not shown full commitment to ending the crisis.

But responding on behalf of Buhari, Prof Osinbajo said “Ranching will come as a long-term solution and to be built by private individuals.”

The Vice President also described as untrue, the alleged perception that President Buhari isn’t committed to ending the herdsmen-farmers clashes.

Osinbajo added that the Buhari administration’s National Economic Council which he chairs had approved a 10-year National Livestock Plan that will cost about N179bn. He expressed hope that governors of the 36 states in the country will voluntarily provide land for ranching which should end the crisis.