Friday, 21 May 2021: The minister of justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami, have come under criticism concerning his statement on open grazing.
Recall that southern governors banned open grazing due to the security concerns surrounding it as reports of Fulani herdsmen killing residents continue to dominate media space.
Reacting, Abubakar Malami when he appeared on a television programme, “Politics Today”, stated that banning open grazing was ‘unconstitutional’ and the decision is dangerous for the country.
He said: “It is a dangerous provision for any governor in Nigeria to think he can bring any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?
“For example, it is as good as saying, perhaps, maybe, the northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the north.”
His statement has sparked social media reactions as some Nigerians took to the micro-blogging platform to berate the minister for comparing open grazing with spare parts sales.
Chidi Odinkalu@ChidiOdinkalu: “Of the many misadventures that define the regime of @Mbuhari, his Attorney-General, @MalamiSan takes the cake. He is a special piece of willful nuisance. It takes considered intent to be so illiterate as Attorney-General.”
Omoyele Sowore: “The definition of malignant idiocy is what Abubakar Malami @MalamiSan is, they can’t hide it that they hate the tribe that sells “spare parts” and I ask what has spare parts got to do with this national emergency?”
Ayemojubar @ayemojubar: “Tell Malami, the Attorney General of Miyetti Allah that what 1999 constitution has a provision for is “free movement of persons” not “free movement of cattle.”
Somto Okonkwo@General_Somto: “Southern Governors Bans Open Grazing – Next Thing, Attorney General Malami Goes On Channels TV, Targets Igbo Business In The North. At The Slightest Opportunity They Get, They Always Look For A Way To Target The Igbos In Nigeria. Their Hate For The Igbos In Nigeria, Is legendary!”
Mazi @FestusGreen@FestusGreen: “Just watched the interview of AGF/ Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami by Seun of Channels TV, and all I could hear was IGBO, IGBO, IGBO! The Nigeria / Biafra Civil war has not ended. They literally want to annihilate Ndi Igbo. That interview was about the Igbos, not the South!”
Gimba Kakanda@gimbakakanda: “Malami’s equating of spare parts trading with grazing isn’t a bright idea. The decision of southern governors may be unpopular, it’s not unprovoked. It’s the President’s perpetual indifference that necessitated the action and auto parts dealers aren’t at the centre of any crisis.”
FS Yusuf@FS_Yusuf: “Dear Malami SAN, Igbo traders selling spare parts in the North rent or build their shops; they don’t carry arms around & cause unrest. Since open grazing has proven unworkable, advise herdsmen to obtain lands to rear their cattle bcos southern farms want peace and progress.”
Henry Shield@henryshield: “Attorney General of the North. Well done Malami.”
Farooq Kperogi, Ph.D@farooqkperogi: “To understand Abubakar Malami’s “spare parts” reference, which’s a not-too-indirect reference to Igbo ppl, read my April 3, 2021 column titled “Umar’s ‘BIAFRAN Boys’ Dig Part of Nigeria’s Unofficial Igbophobia.”In para 11 of d column, I wrote d following: “But Umar is not alone.”
