PDP decries killings, pledges to rescue Edo people

The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented the incessant killings of the citizens, especially Akoko Edo indigenes, by rampaging herdsmen. It accused government of insensitivity to their plight.

The state party chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke ahead of rallies holding in all of the state’s 18 local councils and tagged Meet the People Tour, said the week-long exercise is to enable the party executives brainstorm and interact with members and supporters across the three senatorial districts.

Orbih, while condoling with families and victims of the attacks, said his party would salvage the people when it takes power, asserting that the current administration has failed the people in the area of security by allegedly allowing the herdsmen to have their way in the state.

However, a group, Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), yesterday backed the establishment of cattle colonies nationwide, saying the move would fetch N1.2 trillion revenue yearly.

Besides, the group noted that 322,000 new direct jobs would be available to Nigerians from the policy.

In a statement in Abuja by its Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Emeka Ugwanyi, GOPRI insisted that cattle colony was the best option to address the incessant herdsmen and farmers’ crises nationwide.

Consequently, the group enjoined the critics of the policy to have a rethink in the interest of the nation.

Ugwanyi said they were convinced that the proposed arrangement by the Federal Government was the panacea to the clashes between herdsmen and farmers given that the colony would house several ranches in a particular area with all necessary facilities unlike the latter that could be located in every council area in the country thus causing more crisis. 

He said: “Cattle colony is the best option for Nigeria now because it is going to house several ranches with all the basic amenities in one place. It will control the arbitrary spread of ranches thus making it easier for good policing.

“The policy will further create about 322,000 new direct jobs across the country and it is estimated to generate over N1.2 trillion annual revenue for Nigeria. 

“Above all, it will permanently stop the open grazing practice, thereby halting the farmers-herdsmen’s conflict.”