Former President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association (MACBAN), Alhaji Bello Ardo, has said that the Fulani have a right to move freely and conduct their business across the nation’s landscape.Ardo said this in challenge of Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose’s order prohibiting herdsmen from rearing cattle in any part of Ekiti State.According to Ardo, there are areas in Ekiti and other parts of Nigeria that have been gazetted by the Federal Government as designated areas for cattle grazing.
“He does not have the authority to ban cattle-grazing in Ekiti. Fulani will challenge it in court.He does not have any right to ban designated grazing areas in Ekiti; there are grazing areas all over Nigeria and those grazing areas are gazetted by the Federal Government.He does not have the right to say that Fulani cannot rear cattle through the forests; we are going to challenge this in court.We are only just hearing the news but very soon, we will challenge it appropriately,” Ardo said.