Northern youth groups under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Youth Movement and Arewa Youth Assembly, on Friday, declared the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum banning open grazing in their region as confrontational, divisive and capable of instigating crisis between herders and farmers in the region.
The Northern youths also backed the position of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on the matter.
Spokesman of the Arewa youth groups, Malam Isiaku Abdulhameed, explained their position known in Kaduna on Friday.
They argued that the Southern Governors should have discussed the issue at the Nigerian Governors Forum to advance the unity and corporate existence of the country, which, according to them, was the position of the AGF, Abubakar Malami.
According to him, “We feel it is not yet late for the Governors to meet as a forum to discuss the issue towards taking a common position that would advance the course of unity and economic development of the country.”
The Arewa youths also urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the Northern State Governors to come up with a modern livestock development policy, which will not only provide solutions to the herders/farmers’ crises but transform the age- long traditional open grazing and provide additional economic value for pastoral communities.
They further claimed they are aware of some politicians plotting to bring Malami down because of his dogged stance in the fight against corruption, which is one of cardinal points of President Buhari in restoring Nigeria back in the pathways of development and dignity in the comity of nations.
The Northern youths further urged President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, do everything within his capacity to quickly address the ever-increasing security challenges threatening the freedom of lives, economic activities and corporate existence of Nigeria as a united country.