A wave of opposition has erupted in Ebonyi State following reports that the Federal Government is considering implementing a nationwide policy on ranching and open grazing. Residents and stakeholders in the state have strongly kicked against the proposal, citing deep-rooted fears of escalating farmer-herder conflicts in the region.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki on Monday, former Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Chief Abia Onyike, described the open grazing initiative as a veiled attempt to advance what he called “a conquest agenda” by Fulani herdsmen. He warned that allowing open grazing in the South East would be “very dangerous” and exacerbate existing security tensions.
“I support ranching, not open grazing,” Onyike stated. “Open grazing has become an instrument for violence and land grabbing. It will only compound insecurity in the South East.”
Similarly, human rights lawyer Barr. Sampson Ekigbo rejected the move outright, describing it as a trigger for communal conflict and a backward step in agricultural modernization. “There’s nothing like ranching in this proposal — it’s open grazing masked in deception,” he argued. “Our laws already outlaw it, and implementing it will destabilize national security.”
A civil servant and community leader, Elder Peter Oka, also expressed grave concern, warning that open grazing has historically led to violent clashes, loss of lives, and displacement of local populations. While he acknowledged ranching as a potentially better alternative, he emphasized that any such policy must be locally driven, inclusive, and sensitive to the unique dynamics of each region.
“Without proper security and community engagement, even ranching could become another source of tension,” Oka said. “The South East cannot afford another wave of instability.”
