The debate over the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranching Establishment Law (2017) has resurfaced as a primary political flashpoint in Benue State, with a governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) directly blaming the suspension of the law’s enforcement for the state’s worsening security situation.
Peter Tortiv-Ato, a PDP aspirant for the 2027 election, made the declaration today, Monday, November 24, 2025, while formally announcing his ambition to party stakeholders in Konshisha Local Government Area.
Tortiv-Ato lamented that the decision to weaken the enforcement of the landmark law—a key achievement of the previous administration—has led to a surge in attacks by armed herders, making large areas of the state inaccessible to farmers.
Peter Tortiv-Ato’s Statement: “Benue State has suffered prolonged insecurity due to the suspension of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranching Establishment Law… The suspension of the anti-open grazing law has worsened the situation with growing numbers of Internally Displaced Persons across the state.”
He argued that the continuous occupation and denial of access to farmlands for productive agriculture is unacceptable and threatens the state’s status as the nation’s food basket.
The statement echoes a call made by a coalition of Benue governorship aspirants who recently urged the incumbent governor to enforce the law uncompromisingly, arguing that it remains the most crucial step toward ending the persistent killings in the state. The aspirant pledged to prioritize security and restore the full authority of the anti-open grazing law if elected.
