The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Monday asked the Federal Government to ensure the full enforcement of the anti-grazing law across the country.
This was contained in a statement released by the Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.
Recall that the Southern Governors Forum had fixed September 1 to start the implementation of anti-open grazing law.
In the statement Ajayi said: “As the take-off date (of implementation of anti-open grazing) is knocking, it is clear that many states are ready to work their talks going by the way laws to give legal backing to the proclamation have been passed or are in the process of being passed.
“Of course, a few are yet to begin the process.
“As reality in Nigeria has repeatedly shown, however, the problem, most of the time, was not in having a legal instrument in place but in enforcing the laws.
“Unfortunately and regrettably, the chances of its being successfully enforced are slim because of the lopsided nature of the country’s policing system. In Nigeria today, only the Nigerian Police can investigate and prosecute a suspect in a criminal case.
“Since the police is under the firm control of the federal government, it is possible to use the agency to frustrate the efforts of the states in this respect.
“Enforcement of the law against open grazing is made more difficult when the interest of the powerful is at stake – as is the case on this issue of open grazing of cattle.”