The gloves were literally off when Governor Rotimi Akeredolu took on Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, for comparing a Igbo spare dealers with herdsmen running riot on people’s farms.
Malami had appeared on Channels Television programme to repudiate Southern Governors for banning open grazing, saying it violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the herders to freedom of movement.
He said the decision of the Southern Governors was unacceptable just the way it would be unacceptable if Northern Governors ban trading in spare parts across the north.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedom of expression enshrined in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian? It is as good as saying the northern governors come together to say that they forbid spare part trading in the North,” Malami had argued.
But Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said it was most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distil issues as expected of a Senior Advocate.
“Comparing this anachronism, which has led to the loss of lives, farmlands, and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset,” Akeredolu said.
The Ondo governor also warned that decision to ban open grazing stays and would be enforced with vigour.
