The ongoing National Conference resumed its plenary session on a rowdy note as delegates commenced debate on the reports of the 20 standing committees.

The debate started on Wednesday with the report of the Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters.

The debate on the recommendation of a committee for the creation of grazing reserves for Fulani Herdsmen brought about sharp disagreement among the delegates along ethnic lines.

Delegates, mostly from the southern part of the country, kicked against suggestions that special areas and treatment be given to herdsmen to curtail the reoccurring clashes between the herdsmen and farmers.

The delegates raised the objection during the debate on the report of the Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters, chaired by the Emir of Yauri and delegate representing National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Alhaji Zayyanu Abdullahi.

However,  a proposed amendment to a recommendation introduced by a delegate from Benue State, Dr Magdalene Dura, to restrict the movement of cattle rearers or creation of modernised grazing reserves for the herdsmen and their cattle, with all the expenses borne by their states of origin, divided the delegates along regional lines and stalled the proceedings.

Dura stirred the hornets’ nest when she said any special treatment or special funds for the herdsmen, who are engaged in economic activities, would breach the provisions of Section 42 of 1999 constitution.

According to her, the herdsmen enjoy the same rights like every other Nigerian and they are free to live in any part of the country.

She said if the proposal for special fund for the herdsmen sailed through, it should also extend to other Nigerians engaged in other economic activities like farmers.

Another delegate, Chris Abongabe, who was the first to comment on the report of the committee, asked what would happen to itinerant fishermen, who move around a lot, if special treatment was give to nomadic herdsmen.

The development forced the Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, to abruptly stop the session and consideration of the contentious issue brought about by the committee’s report and called for adjournment till Thursday.

While an overwhelming majority of the members in the House was in favour of the proposal introduced by Dura, mainly northern delegates vehemently kicked against it.

Northern delegates, including Alhaji Bashiru Albasu, a former AIG representing the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, and Mallam Naseer Kura, representing a Kano-based civil society group, Basic Rights Action, described the proposal as discriminatory and vowed to mobilise his people to resist any move to change the status quo.

Also contributing, Alhaji Muhammad Magaji Dambatta (North West Delegate) and Alhaji Mohammad Dingyadi, representing Sokoto State, said the proposal for a grazing reserve to be borne by the states of origin of the herdsmen and supported by the delegates, was discriminatory and smacked of high level of irresponsibility by the proponents.

Danbata said, “These cattle rearers are also Nigerians and have equal rights to traverse the country without let or hindrance.”

In his intervention, Justice Kutigi expressed dismay at the turn of events and urged delegates to refrain from making remarks that could throw spanners in the wheel of the successes so far recorded by the conference, especially during their committee meetings.