Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has expressed regret that his recent statement on open grazing was interpreted out of context by a section of the media.
He reiterated that what he said was that “farmers and herders are peacefully coexisting in Imo State as a result of mutual respect and understanding.”
The governor spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, at a news conference in Owerri.
He said on the contrary, Imo State has an open grazing law which became operative since 2006.
According to him, the law provides for areas that are restricted from open grazing and the herders have been abiding by it. “The MOU, the farmers and herders signed was to strengthen the existing law and it is working very well,” he said.
The governor further emphasised that what is important is the peaceful way farmers and herders have co-existed in the state.
“Whereas a law on anti-grazing may be desirable, dialogue and understanding as it is the case in Imo State were more effective in addressing the conflict,” he said.
He therefore urged Nigerians to embrace inclusiveness and tolerance as necessary tools in building and sustaining a united Nigeria, noting that “all activities of the states and the people should be geared towards uniting the country and not creating divisions.”