Ruga Projects: Governors Vested with Powers to Regulate Land Use, Development – Falana SAN

Speaking from the standpoint of the constitution, Falana, in a
terse statement, said, “Our attention has been drawn to the report
that the federal government has concluded arrangements to build
RUGA or cattle colony in each state of the federation.

“It is pertinent to point out that the Supreme Court has held
that the entire land in each state of the federation is vested in
the governor. As far as the Land Use Act is concerned, the federal
government has no control over any land outside the federal capital
territory. Therefore, Nigerians should rest assured that the
federal government cannot forcefully acquire any land for RUGA or
ranch in any state without the consent of the governor.”

Going back history lane, Falana said, “In the First republic,
the Awolowo regime had a ranch at Akunnu (Ondo State), Ahmadu Bello
regime had a ranch in Mokwa (Niger State) while the Azikwe regime
had Obudu cattle ranch (Cross River State).

“In the Second Republic, Governor Ajasin built a dairy farm in
Ikun (Ekiti State), but all the ranches were ruined by former
military dictators. Today, the South-west consumes 10,000 heads of
cattle daily.

“Lagos alone consumes about 6,000. What stops the Oodua Group
from setting up a ranch to supply meat in the South-west? The meat
sold by Shoprite (in 25 malls) is prepared in an abattoir in
Ikenne, Ogun State.”

In separate interviews, President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF),
Dr. Pogu Bitrus, Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka
Odumakin, and Senior Special Assistant to the Taraba State
Governor, Mr. Bala Dan Abu, all described Ruga as an obnoxious idea
being foisted on Nigeria by the federal government.

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