Governor Ortom says that just as Abiola was accepted as June 12 winner so too will ranching become the norm

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has wadded into the ongoing debate over the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day by stating that just as Chief MKO Abiola got recognised as an election victor so too shall ranching be accepted by all Nigerians.

On June 12 1993, Chief Abiola soared to victory in Nigeria's presidential elections but the polls were annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Chief Abiola was subsequently jailed for declaring himself president and later died in detention, leading to widespread riots across the country.

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking re-election next year offered an olive branch to Chief Abiola's supporters, declaring June 12 Democracy day and conferring the title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic on the late tycoon. Governor Ortom said that just as Nigerians have come to finally accept that Chief Abiola won the 1993 presidential elections, so too shall they accept ranching as the way to raise cattle.

Benue State has been the battle ground for terrible violence lately as Fulani cattle herdsmen have repeatedly attacked rural farming communities across the state, killing hundreds. In response, the Benue State House of Assembly has passed a Ranching Bill that restricts the rearing of livestock to enclosed ranches.

Fulani and herders organisations such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (Macban), however, have refused to accept the bill and some of its officials have threatened to defy the law. Speaking yesterday in Benue State, Governor Ortom stated that no matter how long it takes, ranching will eventually be accepted by the people of Nigeria.

Giving the assurance while speaking in Naka, in Gwer West Local Government Area during the traditional marriage between his friend, Architect Asema Achado and Princess Freda Nguamo Damna, Governor Ortom also noted that Benue’s position on the matter was being vindicated daily. He cited resolutions of the northern and southern governor’s fora, the National Economic Council as well as the most recent enactment of the law by the Abia State government as indications that ranching was inevitable in the 21st century.

Governor Ortom said: “Just like the case of the June 12 presidential election, it took 25 years for the federal government to officially acknowledge that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola won the presidential election.”

He commended President Buhari for the courage to acknowledge the truth and urged him to accept the same principle in the matter of ranching. Governor Ortom stated that his concern for now was for peace to return to Benue communities more than anything else.