Igbo town unions reject FG’s plans to acquire lands for ranches in Imo State
Paul Ogbuokiri
The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has expresses its opposition to the Federal Government’s proposed establishment of ranches in Imo State, as part of its 2025 budget under the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development.
Advocacy Times reports that this decision, which involves the acquisition of land by the government for private cattle ranching, raises serious concerns about the fairness, legality, and long-term implications for the people of Imo State, and the Igbo nation in general.
ASITU noted that cattle rearing, as a private enterprise, should not be the responsibility of the Nigerian government to fund or manage, saying it is well-established that livestock farming is a private business, and the cattle rearing segment of it is primarily controlled by a specific ethnic group in the country.
ASITU averred that the government’s involvement in acquiring land and using national resources to establish ranches for private cattle farmers is both suspicious and provocative.
“Just as other businesses, including those owned by Igbo traders, must go through the normal processes of land acquisition, so too should the cattle business. The idea that the government should use taxpayers’ money to support the private interests of a specific group, without regard for the interests of the indigenous population, is deeply troubling,” ASITU said.
ASITU further disclosed in a statement by its national president, Chief Emeka Diwe, said that Imo State, along with other states in the South East, is already grappling with a severe scarcity of land for its people. “Our communities face tremendous pressure to provide land for agricultural purposes, urban development, and infrastructure expansion. The further allocation of scarce land resources for private ranching, particularly for cattle business that is predominantly controlled by another ethnic group, is an injustice that must not be tolerated,” ASITU stated.
The association further disclosed that it was alarmed by the insensitivity of the Federal Government in imposing such policies on the people of the South East, without considering the consequences on their communities’ socio-economic well-being.
ASITU regrettable stated: “Furthermore, the question arises: Why should the Nigerian government, through its national budget, build ranches in Imo State or any other Igbo state for the private benefit of cattle owners, while Igbo traders, who contribute significantly to the nation’s economy, have to navigate the challenges of land acquisition and business establishment on their own? The government has never shown the same level of concern or support for the businesses owned by the Igbo across the country. If the government truly cares about supporting businesses, it should create an enabling environment where all businesses, whether cattle farming, trade, or agriculture, can thrive, regardless of the ethnic group involved.
“To be clear, Igbo people doing business in other parts of the country follow the rigours and pass through the crucibles of individually acquiring land, establishing their ventures and running same without the Federal Government having to appropriate land or allocate resources to them. This holds true for the electronics and electrical appliances businesses of the Igbo at Alaba International Market (Lagos) and Wuse Market (Abuja); the textiles and fashion businesses in Balogun Market (Lagos) and Kurmi Market (Kano); the food and agro-businesses in Garki Market (Abuja) and Sabon Gari Market (Kano); the auto parts and repairs businesses in Ladipo Market (Lagos) and Bompai Market (Kano); the general merchandise businesses in Onitsha Market (Lagos), Wuse Market (Abuja) and Kurmi Market (Kano); and the restaurants and catering businesses in Wuse Market (Abuja) and Sabon Gari Market (Kano). Painfully, in some instances, areas where Igbo businessmen have privately acquired and developed are forcefully taken away from them by some state governments.”
ASITU states without equivocation that anyone who wants to do cattle in the South East should privately seek and acquire land for that purpose, and the attempt to use state authority, state policy and state apparatus to expropriate our people from their ancestral lands and transfer same to other business interests is an intolerable dimension to the litany of injustices against our people.
It stated that this proposed ranching scheme in the South East now rekindles critical concerns about the broader issue of marginalization that has long been the plight of the Igbo people in Nigeria.” It appears that the government is once again prioritising the interests of a particular ethnic group over the welfare and rights of the indigenous people of the region. Such policies only reinforce feelings of exclusion and foster further division. We, therefore, reject this initiative in its entirety, as it undermines the principles of fairness, equity, and respect for the rights of indigenous communities,” it said.
ASITU further demanded the immediate cessation of this ill-considered plan to establish cattle ranches in the South East, especially Imo State. We urge the Federal Government to respect the rights of the people of the region and allow business people, regardless of ethnicity, to acquire land through proper legal means.
“The Federal Government must stop this undue fixation on promoting the business interests of one ethnic group at the expense of others, especially when the land in question is in short supply and is vital for the survival of local communities.”
The association also called on the Federal Government to expeditiously address the unbearable economic plight of the vast majority of Nigerians, and to focus on policies that will foster inclusive growth, create an enabling environment for all businesses, and promote national unity.
“We stand firm in our belief that no part of Igbo land should be appropriated for the private gain of any group without due consideration of the interests and well-being of the people of the region. The South East deserves better, and we will not accept, under any circumstance, any actions that seek to further marginalize us,” ASITU stressed.