Northern senators and senators from other geo-political zones clashed on Wednesday during the debate on a bill proposing the establishment of the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission. The bill, aimed at regulating, managing, preserving, and controlling ranches across Nigeria, was eventually passed for a second reading after a heated discussion.
The bill, titled "An Act to Establish National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches throughout Nigeria; and for Connected Purposes 2024 (SB. 466)," was referred to the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Legal Matters, with a directive to report back in four weeks.
Sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North-West), the bill seeks to establish a Commission to oversee the cattle ranching business nationwide. Zam emphasized the need for the Commission to manage and regulate ranches effectively across the country.
However, the bill faced strong opposition from Senators Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) and Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central), both former governors. They argued that cattle rearing and ranching are predominantly Northern activities and that legislation should address the entire country rather than specific regions. Goje pointed out that cattle routes primarily span from the far North to Lokoja, not extending to the South.
Senator Hussein Babangida Uba (Jigawa North-West) urged caution, citing past controversies surrounding similar proposals.
Supporters of the bill argued that the proposed Commission could help manage the ongoing farmers/herders crisis and should therefore be approved.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the bill to a voice vote, resulting in its passage for further consideration.
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