Press Statement
Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, an association of Igbo lawyers in Abuja and its environs acknowledge and fully endorses the press statement issued by the Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) on March 11, 2025.
The press statement articulates a critical stance against the Federal Government’s proposed establishment of ranches in Imo State, funded under the 2025 budget of the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development. This initiative, which permits the government to acquire land for private cattle ranching, raises profound questions about fairness, legality, and the long-term implications for the people of Imo State and the broader Igbo nation.
ASITU has rightly asserted that cattle rearing should be treated as a private enterprise, and it is unjustifiable for the government to use taxpayer resources to support this specific industry for the private benefit of select groups. Rather than prioritizing the interests of cattle ranchers, the government must ensure that all businesses—including those operated by Igbo traders—have equitable access to land and resources while adhering to the established processes of land acquisition.
The concerns raised by ASITU regarding the already severe land scarcity in Imo State and across the South East can not be overstated. The pressure on our communities to allocate land for agricultural, urban, and infrastructural developments is palpable. The further appropriation of these scarce land resources for private cattle ranching exacerbates an already precarious situation and poses an injustice that the Igbo people will not tolerate.
Moreover, ASITU’s observations about the alarming trend of state governments appropriating land from Igbo businessmen who have invested time and resources into their own ventures add another layer of injustice to this situation. It is unacceptable that in some instances, lands privately acquired and developed by our people are forcibly taken away under various pretexts. The implication that state powers can be wielded to dispossess indigenous populations in favour of external business interests highlights an intolerable dimension to the ongoing struggle against systemic injustices faced by the Igbo people.
Otu Oka-iwu Abuja unequivocally supports ASITU’s assertion that all individuals interested in cattle rearing in the South East should pursue private land acquisition through proper legal channels. The attempt to leverage state authority and apparatus to expropriate our ancestral lands for the benefit of specific business interests only compounds the grievances that have historically marginalized the Igbo people within Nigeria.
This proposed ranching scheme serves to rekindle critical concerns about the broader issue of marginalization that has long afflicted the Igbo community. As articulated by ASITU, it starkly epitomizes the troubling reality that governmental policies favour particular ethnic groups at the expense of indigenous populations and their rights. Such policies are not merely an administrative oversight; they are a reinforcement of systemic exclusion, creating an atmosphere of division where unity is essential.
In light of these considerations, Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, alongside ASITU, categorically rejects this initiative in its entirety. This plan undermines the principles of fairness, equity, and respect for the indigenous communities of our region. The demand for an immediate cessation of this ill-conceived plan to establish cattle ranches in Imo State is both necessary and urgent. We call upon the Federal Government to respect the rights of our people and to allow businesspeople, irrespective of their ethnicity, to acquire land through due legal processes.
Furthermore, Otu Oka-iwu Abuja urge the Federal Government to shift its focus from promoting the business interests of one ethnic group to addressing the underlying economic challenges faced by the vast majority of Nigerians. An inclusive approach is vital; policies must foster equitable growth, create an enabling environment for diverse businesses, and promote national unity rather than division.
Otu Oka-iwu Abuja firmly believes that no part of Igbo land should be appropriated for the private gain of any group without due consideration for the interests and welfare of the residents. The South East deserves better, and we will steadfastly oppose any actions that seek to marginalize our people further. Our collective resilience and determination towards achieving justice and equity for the Igbo nation will remain unwavering.
Chidiebere Nwabueze
Udekwe ESQ
President
Otu Oka-iwu Abuja
