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Open grazing: Ohaneze blasts Imo gov over withdrawal from Southern governors agreement

Professor George Obiozor, President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Gov Hope Uzodimma

… Confirmed saboteur, action spiteful…

Imo State, eastern state have existing anti-grazing law – Imo Assembly

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The recent pronuncement by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma that he does not have any law in the state as anti grazing law has pitched him against the apex Igbo social cultural and political organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Ohaneze has said that for the governor to show a volte-face to the resolution of Southern governors to commence the ban on open grazing in the region from 1st September, 2021, he will surely taste the retribution of God and wrath of the people of the zone.

Southern States governors

The position was made known last Thursday in a statement signed by Maazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of the apex group.

Uzodimma had while addressing newsmen after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the state house Abuja on Thursday said, “I don’t have any law in Imo State as anti grazing. What we have done, we are regulating grazing activities in Imo State under a partnership between our farmers and herders, they have agreed to work together.

“Both parties have agreed to work together without interfering or causing any grievances or anger to each order, they have signed an MoU in my office.”

Gov. Uzodimma and President Buhari

Reacting to this development that sharply countered the position and resolution of the 17 southern governors, Ohaneze said it has placed Uzodimma in the position of a saboteur and number one enemy of Ndigbo.

The statement further read: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide had warned the Governor of Imo State on the dangers of withdrawal from the ban on open grazing initiated by the Forum of Southern Governors, as the Imo Governor, Senator Hope Uzodima had attracted scourge of hatred, plagues, and curses on his government, and Ndigbo will declare him #1 Enemy of Ndigbo since the last 200 years.”

Ohafia War Dance in a show of strength and valour

“Our suspicion had been reinforced with the continued absence of Governor Hope Uzodinma in the meetings of Southern Governors in Asaba and Lagos, which was intentional and premeditated to ambush the resolutions of the Southern Governors, and he will never escape the venom of Ndigbo, as he will surely taste the retribution of God and wrath of the people as a confirm saboteur and this will serve as a warning to any Igbo Governor that will follow such decision will never escape the malevolence and venomous actions of the people.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo admonished Governor Hope Uzodinma to show repentance and rescind the decision to pull out from the ban on open grazing from 1st September 2021.

He cannot afford to face the consequences of this decision, Uzodinma is now the tools our detractors are using to destabilize Southern Nigeria, but if he continues, he will be excommunicated from any Igbo gathering and ceremonies from 1st September 2021.”

However, contrary to the position of the governor, the state House of Assembly has said there exists such law in the state dated as far back as 2006.

The spokesman of the assembly, Hon Duru Johnson said the law against open grazing in the state was assented to by Achike Udenwa, a former governor of the state between 1999 to 2007.