The Federal Government’s recent pronouncement, declaring the unsustainability of open grazing and advocating for a nationwide transition to modern ranching practices, serves as a profound validation of the foresight and conviction of Chief Samuel Ortom, the immediate past Governor of Benue State. It is a testament to his leadership that nearly a decade ago, at a time when such a stance carried significant political peril and personal cost, Governor Ortom articulated precisely the same message that the Federal Government is now conveying: that the era of open grazing is irrevocably past, and that ranching represents the only viable and sustainable path forward for Nigeria.Today, the Federal Government explicitly acknowledges the complex factors contributing to the demise of open grazing, citing the diminishing availability of traditional grazing routes, the relentless pressures of a burgeoning population, and the escalating competition for arable land. In response, the government has unveiled ambitious plans to establish modern ranching settlements strategically located in areas identified as recurrent flashpoints for farmer-herder conflicts. This official recognition marks a pivotal moment, shifting the discourse from a localized concern to a national imperative.The historical question that history will undoubtedly pose is straightforward yet profoundly significant: Was Samuel Ortom mistaken in his assertions, or was he merely an individual whose vision transcended the prevailing political and social currents of his time?HE STOOD WHEN STANDING CAME AT A PRICEGovernor Ortom’s commitment to ranching was not confined to mere rhetoric or pronouncements. His administration demonstrated a resolute translation of deeply held convictions into tangible legislative action. In 2017, Benue State enacted the landmark Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
This pivotal legislation not only outlawed the practice of open grazing but also meticulously established a comprehensive legal framework designed to facilitate and govern the transition to modern ranching. At the time of its enactment, Governor Ortom unequivocally stated that this law was a direct reflection of the collective will of the Benue people, emphasizing its dual purpose: to foster an orderly system of animal husbandry and to safeguard the interests of both agricultural communities and livestock owners.The subsequent period proved to be a tumultuous chapter in Nigeria’s political narrative. Chief Ortom found himself subjected to intense vilification, relentless castigation, and immense political pressure from various quarters. Powerful vested interests vehemently demanded the repeal of the law, while prominent organizations, such as the Miyetti Allah groups, openly declared their opposition to the policy. Despite enduring a climate of hostility and significant political isolation, Governor Ortom remained steadfast, refusing to cede the inherent right of the Benue people to enact legislation that governed land use and livestock production within their own state.However, Ortom’s resolve was unshakeable; he refused to be coerced into retreating from his principled stance. He consistently reiterated that the law was not designed to target any specific ethnic group. His message was clear and inclusive: individuals of Hausa, Fulani, Tiv, Idoma, Igbo, Yoruba, or any other ethnic background were welcome to participate in the livestock business within Benue, provided their animals were managed through ranching. His core message was elegantly simple and profoundly impactful:
Ranching is not an anti-Fulani policy. Instead, ranching is a policy that champions peace, underpins agricultural prosperity, drives economic development, and promotes the adoption of modern, sustainable livestock production methods.ORTOM PAID THE PRICEThe United States House of Representatives, in 2026, introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act. A significant provision within this proposed legislation calls for the careful consideration of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities deemed responsible for severe violations of religious freedom. Notably, the bill specifically identifies the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities subject to scrutiny. Furthermore, it mandates an assessment to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias warrant designation as foreign terrorist organizations.While this bill has yet to be formally enacted into law, the implications of its provisions are undeniably far-reaching and cannot be understated. The fact that international bodies are now raising questions about accountability for actions that Ortom himself highlighted years prior is a striking development.
Years after Governor Ortom vociferously demanded that perpetrators of violence and their financiers be thoroughly investigated and held accountable for their actions, similar concerns are now being echoed on the international stage. Once again, history is revisiting and validating warnings that were initially dismissed or disregarded.BENUE MUST NOT NOW WALK BACKWARDSRegrettably, while Nigeria as a whole appears to be increasingly convinced of the imperative for ranching, the current administration in Benue State seems to have inadvertently weakened the robust enforcement architecture that was diligently established by the Ortom administration. This development raises a fundamental and pressing question:How can the Federal Government be moving decisively towards embracing ranching as a national policy, while Benue State, the very state that pioneered progressive ranching legislation, appears to be regressing in its commitment to this vital initiative?The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law remains a legally binding statute of Benue State, unless and until it is lawfully amended or repealed through due process. Its legal standing cannot simply evaporate due to an administration’s perceived discomfort with its enforcement. The people of Benue deserve a clear and unambiguous articulation of the current government’s policy direction.
Crucial questions demand immediate answers:Is the law currently being enforced with the rigor it requires?What has become of the dedicated Livestock Guards who were instrumental in its enforcement?Why has open grazing once again become a widespread phenomenon across numerous communities within the state?What concrete and effective measures are being implemented to ensure the safety and security of farmers whose livelihoods are intrinsically linked to unfettered access to their ancestral farmlands?And, most critically, if the Federal Government itself now concedes that open grazing is an unsustainable practice, what justification can possibly remain for the perceived weakening of Benue’s pioneering ranching framework?These are not merely issues of ethnic division or political maneuvering; they are fundamental questions pertaining to public safety, agricultural sustainability, national food security, and the unwavering principle of the rule of law. The state already possesses a well-defined legal framework for the implementation of ranching. Rather than undermining this crucial legislation, the current government should be focused on strengthening it, enhancing its implementation, and ensuring that both farmers and livestock owners operate strictly within the bounds of the law.Samuel Ortom courageously navigated this challenging battle when the path was solitary and fraught with opposition. He maintained his unyielding stance at a time when capitulation would have been the more politically expedient option. Today, Nigeria is incrementally embracing the very solution for which he was once subjected to condemnation. History may operate on its own timeline, but history ultimately remembers those who possessed the foresight to see tomorrow. That individual, unequivocally, is Samuel Ioraernyi Ortom!Signed:Comrade Austine AdanwoConvenerALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY & GOOD GOVERNANCE
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