By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to take immediate and uncompromising action to enforce the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
The party warns that failure to do so risks deepening the state’s worsening security crisis.
State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Tim Nyor, in a statement on Thursday accused the government of dithering while rural communities remain under siege.
The party reaffirmed its full support for the 2017 anti-open grazing law, describing it as the most effective tool available to curb violence, protect farmlands, and restore peace in the state.
“Our people are dying, our farmers are displaced, and our ancestral lands are under threat. The time for action is now,” the statement read.
It added, “The law was born out of wide consultations and reflects the will of the people. Weakening or abandoning it under any guise would be a betrayal of our state’s collective resolve.”
The PDP also cautioned the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Tinubu, against any moves to allocate land in Benue for grazing reserves or settlements, insisting that “there is no vacant land to be shared with aggressors.”
“Our land is not up for grabs. It is an ancestral inheritance, not a political bargaining chip,” the statement added.
The party urged Gov. Alia to demonstrate leadership and uphold the integrity of the anti-open grazing law, warning that any attempt to repeal or dilute it would embolden violent actors and deepen insecurity across the state.
While acknowledging the committee set up by the presidency to review grazing and herder-related issues, the PDP insisted that Benue cannot afford further delays.
“The time for debates is over. What we need is enforcement – bold, immediate, and unwavering,” the PDP stated.
