The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has called on the state government to fully enforce the 2017 Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, describing it as the most effective solution to ongoing security challenges in the state.
In a statement released Tuesday, the opposition party condemned what it described as escalating security crises affecting communities across Benue, with particular focus on conflicts related to open grazing and ranching activities.
“These crises threaten the peace, safety, and sustainable livelihood of our people, and they demand decisive and immediate action by the government,” said Tim Nyor, the party’s State Publicity Secretary.
The PDP reaffirmed its support for the anti-open grazing law, which was enacted during the previous administration following extensive consultations and deliberations. The party described the legislation as designed to promote peace, security, and economic stability across the state.
In a direct message to federal authorities, the PDP declared that there is “no vacant land in Benue State to be shared with those who seek to undermine our state and threaten our peace.” The party stated that local land represents “an ancestral inheritance that sustains our livelihoods as a people.”
The statement called on both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to demonstrate the political will necessary to enforce the law fully and without delay. The PDP specifically urged Governor Alia to maintain the law’s integrity and resist any attempts to repeal or weaken its provisions.
While acknowledging ongoing federal committee reviews of the matter, the PDP noted that “the time for prolonged debates has passed” and called for swift, decisive action rather than continued delays.
“Our people deserve swift, decisive action – solutions that have been deliberated upon and refined over years of engagement. Delay is no longer an option,” Nyor stated.
The party positioned the anti-open grazing law as “the cornerstone of our strategy to resolve the current crises” and called on all relevant authorities to enforce it resolutely to ensure community safety, security, and prosperity.
The 2017 law was intended to address these conflicts by prohibiting open grazing and establishing designated ranching areas, though its implementation has faced various challenges.
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