The Ondo state Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has condemned in strong term the comments credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Shehu Malami over the ban of open grazing by governors of the South.
The condemnation was contained in a statement personally signed by the governor and made available to journalists in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
He said, “I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Shehu Malami, SAN, on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States.
“The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country and is unconstitutional.
“It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distil issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting.
Akeredolu noted that this outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit a response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.
Rep fumes
A member of the House of Representatives, Solomon Bob, has described as bad politics, comments credited to Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami in which he attempted to compare open grazing with trading in auto spare parts.
His attempt to bring the matter up for debate however failed.
The lawmaker had during Thursday plenary of the House, raised a point of order under privileges, drawing attention of the members to the comment which he said was capable of fueling crisis in the country, describing same as “disingenuous, irresponsible and loaded with incendiary trope and ethnic slur”, submitting that the minister should be called to order.
However, Deputy Speaker, Ahmd Idris who was presiding immediately requested to know the specific order in the house’s Rule Book, to which Bob, a lawyer and member representing Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency of Rivers State cited Order 6 which relates to matters of privileges.
When directed to present his case, he brought up the issue of Malami’s comment, but was cut short by Deputy Speaker on the grounds that he was going outside of the order which he relied upon.
