Bemgba Iortyom, the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate for the 2027 State House of Assembly in Benue State, has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government's proposal to establish ranches for herders in the state. In a statement released on Saturday, Iortyom urged the government to refrain from investing public funds into what he described as private enterprises, advocating instead for livestock owners to independently acquire land for ranching.

Iortyom's remarks come in response to the Federal Government's decision to select Benue as one of five states to pilot a ranching initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders. He emphasized that livestock farming is a legitimate business, and those involved should bear the responsibility of securing land through lawful means, similar to other private entrepreneurs, including crop farmers.

In his statement, Iortyom raised critical questions regarding the focus of the government's proposed solutions. He challenged the notion that the farmer-herder conflict is solely a matter of livestock management, asking why the proposed solutions appear to prioritize herders while overlooking the needs of farmers who have suffered from violence and property destruction. He questioned, "Shouldn’t compensation for the decades of destruction of lives and property of farmers by the herdsmen be a top item on the agenda of the proposed government policy?"

Iortyom also highlighted the absence of representation for farmers in the discussions surrounding the ranching initiative. He pointed out that traditional institutions and landowners, whose ancestral lands may be impacted by the government's plans, are not being included in the negotiations.

The PDP candidate recalled that similar proposals were put forth during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, including attempts to revive grazing routes and establish cattle colonies, all of which were met with significant resistance from the people of Benue. He noted that between 2015 and 2023, the state faced a series of initiatives aimed at resolving the farmer-herder conflict, all of which were rejected by the local populace.

Iortyom concluded that if the Federal Government is genuinely interested in modernizing livestock production, it should support ranching initiatives that involve land acquired legally by livestock owners rather than attempting to appropriate ancestral lands from farming communities for government-sponsored settlements. This stance reflects a broader sentiment among many in Benue who feel that their rights and experiences have been overlooked in the ongoing discussions about agricultural policies and land use.