By Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has declared that no ethnic, professional, or social group owns the state, insisting that the lingering crisis of open grazing and farmers–herders clashes must be resolved collectively through dialogue, inclusiveness, and the rule of law.
Governor Makinde stated this at a one-day stakeholders’ summit on the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Law, organised by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA in Ibadan.
The governor stressed that government existed to protect all residents, not to intimidate them.
He warned against politicising governance challenges, noting that while politics might be treated as a game by some actors, governance decisions carried real consequences for people’s lives and future.
Governor Makinde stressed that leadership choices could shape the destiny of generations, citing historical and global examples to underscore the far-reaching impact of policy decisions.
On open grazing, the governor reiterated that Oyo State belonged to farmers, herders, traders and professionals alike, warning that no group should claim exclusive ownership of land or resources.
While maintaining that the state’s anti-open grazing law was enacted to restore order, protect livelihoods and prevent avoidable conflicts, governor Makinde said challenges must be resolved lawfully.
He said his administration was open to reviewing aspects of the law if stakeholders identified areas requiring adjustment to reflect present realities.
In a remark, the Chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retired) said the summit was convened against the backdrop of persistent farmers–herders clashes, which she described as a threat to lives, food security and social harmony.
Justice Aderemi said the state’s agricultural policy was focused on modernising farming, boosting productivity and ensuring sustainable livestock management, stressing that unregulated grazing and criminal encroachment on farmlands could no longer be tolerated.
She noted that the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Law was already in force, warning that ignorance of the law would not excuse violations.
The one-day stakeholders’ Summit Titled, “Navigating the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Law: Ensuring Adherence and Advancing Sustainable Livestock Management” was held at The Le Chatteau Event Centre, Old Bodija, Ibadan.
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