NEWS
Mbah Opens Enugu To Herders, Inks Ranch Mgt Law
The curtain has been drawn on the lengthy anxiety of citizens and residents of Enugu State on the possibility of the state becoming a ranching ‘guinea pig’.
This is as Governor Peter Mbah announced that he singed into law four bills passed by the Enugu State House of Assembly (EHSA).
Gov Mbah took to his verified official X handle hours ago to make public his signing of the bills, which included, the Enugu State Properties Protection Law, the Enugu State Public Ranch Management Law, the Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law, and the Enugu State Environmental and Climate Protection Law.
Though he asserted that the new laws were “to make our state the best place for investment, business, leisure, and living”, sceptics abound as to the veracity of his assertion.
The public have responded in various ways to the development with many expressing concerns on the new laws, particularly that on grazing.
An X user, Theodore Basil, wrote, “Your excellency, let the Law on Ranching be what you said here oooo . Do not give away our lands to Fulani for cattle rearing. They will claim more lands in the future.”
Gov Mbah wrote, “Today, I signed into law a total of four bills recently passed by the Enugu State House of Assembly, all of which aim to make our state the best place for investment, business, leisure, and living.
“They are the Enugu State Properties Protection Law, the Enugu State Public Ranch Management Law, the Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law, and the Enugu State Environmental and Climate Protection Law.
“The Enugu State Properties Protection Law is consistent with our promise to enhance the ease of doing business in our state. People who come to Enugu State to invest in property must be confident that the title document that is issued to them is worth far more than the paper on which it is written. That is why we frown at land grabbers. This law is a strong warning to them. Under the new law, severe and stringent penalties await those involved in such acts.
“The Public Ranch Management Agency Law is a law that has been misunderstood and misrepresented. We have sometimes been accused of surreptitiously attempting to introduce something other than ranching. However, we must put an end to the practice of open grazing, which causes friction between our farmers and herders. Our goal is to see that it ends. In the 21st century, there is no reason we should encourage open grazing of cattle. So, this law is essentially designed to ensure that people act in a civilized manner. We will ensure that there are enough services, such as abattoirs and proper cattle markets, not where people will come and live.
“On the Environmental and Climate Protection Law, we are going beyond lip service to protect our environment. So, today, what we have done today is to set out clear policies and plans for us to protect our environment. We are all aware of the dangers that the depletion of the ozone layer poses to us as a people.
“The Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law would help us build capacity, nurture grassroots talents, promote school sports, and essentially develop our sports sector. We consider sports as more than just a kind of recreation, but as a veritable means through which we can stimulate economic growth. And the bill I signed into law today will assist us in accomplishing this goal.
“I’d want to thank the Honourable Speaker and members of the Enugu State House of Assembly for their hard work in expeditiously passing the four executive bills.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was recently suspended from the Senate, has refuted reports suggesting she apologised over the dispute that led to her suspension.
The Kogi Central lawmaker described the claims as false and insisted she remains resolute in her fight for justice.
In a statement on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her position, vowing not to succumb to intimidation.
READ MORE: Kogi Central Constituents Submit Recall Petition Against Sen. Natasha
“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth. The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated,” she declared.
She alleged that her suspension was politically motivated and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of corruption.
“The games being played in full view of the Nigerian people will be exposed, and the corrupt individuals who have hijacked our institutions will be held accountable,” she added.
Recall that some constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District have taken steps to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan from office.
On Monday, a petition seeking her removal was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
The document, titled ‘Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’, was presented by Charity Ijese and received by INEC Secretary, Rose Anthony.
The petitioners argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who secured her Senate seat through an Appeal Court ruling in October 2023, no longer represents their interests effectively.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for alleged violations of Senate rules, has taken her case to the international stage, addressing the United Nations Inter-parliamentary conference in New York.
At the forum, she accused Akpabio of victimisation, sexual harassment, and abuse of office, further fueling the controversy surrounding her suspension.
Despite the challenges, she remains defiant, pledging to continue advocating for justice and gender equality.
“I will continue to fight for the rights of Nigerian women and ensure that our voices are heard,” she stated.
A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has formally submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the recall of their representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition, presented on Monday by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents, was received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Anthony, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” the document outlines allegations of misconduct against the senator.
READ ALSO: Akpabio vs Natasha: Compliments Can Be Misconstrued As Harassment – Ex- Senator
According to the petitioners, the recall effort is in line with Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s established regulations.
They accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of engaging in “gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior.”
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator,” the constituents stated. “Her actions have not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but have also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.”
The petitioners claimed to have gathered signatures from more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, calling on INEC to begin the recall process and officially declare her seat vacant.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was declared the winner of her senatorial seat by an Appeal Court ruling in October 2023, was recently suspended from the Senate for six months for gross misconduct.
Her suspension followed a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
As of now, INEC has not issued a response regarding the petition.
Security operatives have recaptured five out of the twelve inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, following a security breach in the early hours of Monday.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the incident in a statement, revealing that the inmates exploited a weakness in the facility’s padlocks to orchestrate their escape.
Upon receiving reports of the breakout, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, promptly mobilized a coordinated response alongside security agencies and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kogi State.
READ MORE: 12 Inmates Escape Kogi Prison, Authorities Launch Manhunt
Officials were deployed to restore order, secure the facility, and track down the fleeing inmates.
“As of this moment, five of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining inmates and bring them to justice,” the statement read.
In response to the incident, the NCoS has launched an investigation to determine how the escape happened. A nationwide security audit of correctional facilities is also underway to prevent similar occurrences.
“The Acting Controller General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape. Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences,” the statement added.
The NCoS assured the public that efforts are being intensified to strengthen security across correctional centres.
It also urged citizens to report any suspicious movements that could help in apprehending the remaining fugitives.
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