The presidency has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the constitutional power to create cattle colonies in any part of Nigeria. This was made known by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, during a South-South Zonal meeting of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG).
Enang noted that provisions of the Land Use Act gave powers to state governors and local government chairmen to control land in their domain. He said: “Before Nigeria was formed as a country, we had cattle routes running from Chad, Niger and others down to the Atlantic. When Nigeria became four regions, we had cattle routes in each of the regions.
“When Nigeria created states, each of the states made laws to regulate rearing of animals.“In 1978, under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as head of state, March 28, I think I am correct, the Land Use Act was made.“Under the Land Use Act, the President of Nigeria has power to control lands in Abuja only.
“Under the Land Use Act, each state governor, under Section 2 of the Land Use Act, land in urban areas of each of the state of the Federation shall be vested on the governor.“Now, subsection 1(2b) says land in the rural areas shall be vested on the local government chairman of that area.”
