Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau on Wednesday strongly opposed a bill proposed by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam from Benue State to establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission.
Barau argued that the bill would force Fulani herders to relocate to their states of origin, a move he deemed unconstitutional and impractical.
The lawmaker highlighted that such a bill would breach the Nigerian Constitution’s provisions on freedom of residence, stating that it would be unfair to deny any Nigerian the right to live wherever they choose.
He expressed his concerns during a heated debate, though he stood alone as other senators welcomed the bill.
“There is a snag in this bill, there is a problem because you cannot stop any Nigerian from living in any area that he so wishes,” Barau said.
He cited an example where Senator Natasha visited a Fulani settlement in her senatorial zone, emphasizing that these herders had no other home.
“Now, to tell them to move to their state of origin, where is their state of origin?” he asked, pointing out the impracticality of the bill.
He added, “Mr President, I will tell you some of these Fulanis, if you ask them where their state of origin is, they have even forgotten; they look at themselves as Nigerians.”
Barau further argued that the principle of residence should be inclusive, sharing his personal experience of winning an election outside his place of origin.
“I won my first election in Tarauni Federal Constituency to the House of Representatives in 1999 from Kano Central, but I am from Kano North. Nobody told me to go back to Kano North, so why do we now tell herders to go back to their states of origin?”
He urged Senator Zam to reconsider and amend the bill to align with constitutional principles. “I advise my friend Senator Zam to stand this bill down for a consultation, for better drafting, so that it goes in consonance with our constitution.”
Despite Barau’s efforts, the majority of the lawmakers supported the bill, and it passed the second reading when Senate President Godswill Akpabio put it to a voice vote.
The bill has now been committed to the relevant committee for a public hearing.
