Renowned peace and environmental justice advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, has decried the non-implementation of the Delta State Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law of 2021, describing it as a politically motivated move that has failed to translate into real protection for farmers and rural dwellers.
Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, made his position known while speaking with journalists on the state of security and agriculture in Delta State.
“In 2021, the Delta State government took a significant step by enacting the Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law to tackle the long-standing conflict between herders and farmers. However, nearly four years later, the law remains largely dormant. The government has clearly failed in its duty to implement it, exposing citizens to insecurity and economic hardship.”
Chief Mulade warned that the law was passed to check open grazing practices that have triggered repeated clashes across communities, leading to destruction of farmlands, loss of lives, and deepening insecurity.
He stressed that by not enforcing the law, the government has allowed the very issues it sought to resolve to fester, thereby threatening food security and community peace.
“The intent of the law was to regulate livestock movement, safeguard farmlands, and enhance peaceful coexistence. But today, farmers still suffer losses as cattle destroy their crops, while reports of violent attacks and kidnappings linked to herders continue to rise.”
The environmental rights advocate further accused the state government of lacking the political will to enforce the law, adding that the silence and inaction of relevant authorities have eroded public confidence.
He warned that without swift enforcement, the consequences will continue to be dire — ranging from hunger and rising crime to heightened distrust in government.
Chief Mulade therefore called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and relevant state agencies to immediately activate enforcement measures to protect lives, restore security, and uphold the law passed in the interest of Delta citizens.
