Leaders of Igbo Patriots, a pro-Biafra group on Tuesday stormed the Anambra State House Assembly Complex, Awka with a call on the lawmakers to enact anti-grazing bill to stem further clashes between herdsmen and host communities in the state.
In a letter entitled: “Fervent Request to Enact Anti- Grazing and Anti-Cattle Colony in Anambra State” submitted by Rita Maduagwu to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, copy which was made available to journalists, stated that the request was for the collective interest of Ndigbo.
The Coordinator of the Igbo group, Obumneke Ejimkeonye Okafor and six others who issued the letter, appealed to members of the State Assembly to enact a bill that will prohibit the ceding of any part of Anambra land for the purpose of Cattle Colony under any guise.
“Empower the governor as the chief security officer of the state, with a law establishing vigilante groups to enable him to enforce the law so legislated by the Honourable House”, the Igbo Activist also appealed.
“We once more appeal that you stand on the same side of the divide with the people in this quest to resist internal neo-colonialism and subjugation. History and posterity will judge you kindly if you do this at this decisive period of our national history and engagements.
“We shall continue to partner with you in the quest for and promotion of good governance, peace and security in Anambra State in particular and South East geopolitical zone in general,” they added.
The Igbo Activists explained to the state legislators saying, “We are Igbo Patriots, a collective of Igbo progressives both at home and in the diaspora with an ironclad commitment to the promotion of the welfare, wellbeing and cosmology of our people through good governance anchored on transparency, probity, accountability and social welfare.
They further said, “Cognizant of our history which has been a catalogue of struggles for our basic rights and freedoms spanning the British colonial exploitation, subjection and subjugation to the present epoch of hegemonic feudal internal colonialism and servitude.
“We are apprehensive of the alleged plot by the Federal Government to coerce the National Assembly to legislate what we view as obnoxious grazing and cattle colony bills.
“We are equally flabbergasted, dumbfounded and mortally concerned with the recent statement of the IGP of the Nigerian Police, cautioning states not to pass the anti-grazing laws without first establishing grazing areas. This is a clear case of the hand of Isaac but the voice of Jacob.
“It is opposite to state without any equivocation that the grazing and cattle colony bill is a covert plot by the Fulani with the tacit support of the Buhari led APC Federal administration to promote and advance the Islamization agenda which we shall resist in the South East geopolitical zone and space.
“However, it is significant to note that we are not averse to ranching which is in accord with International Best Practices in animal husbandry, especially when it is known that cattle rearing is a private and not a national business.
“In the light of the aforestated issues, we wish to most humbly and respectfully make the following prayers to the honourable members of this distinguished House as the true and direct representatives of the people of Anambra State:
Some leaders of the Igbo Patriots present at the occasion were: Nwada Eberechukwu Anigbogu (DG, MOBIN), Arthur Nwakanma, (Secretary), Clinton Umeh,(Publicity Secretary), Okezie Ogu & Kelechi Nwagbaraocha (Australia Coordinators), Jack D.I. Igweigbo, (Asia Coordinator), Chijioke Oham, (Europe Coordinator), Kenny Uzoma (North America Coordinator).
