Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, citing the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a major reason for its support.
Gatekeepers News reports that the association’s National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, declared the endorsement at a rally in Kaduna organised by the Fulbe APC Forum and Tinubu Yeso-Yeso Political Forum, in collaboration with pastoralist organisations and livestock stakeholders.
Ngelzarma said the creation of the ministry in July 2024 fulfilled a longstanding demand by pastoralists and livestock operators for a dedicated government institution to address challenges in the sector.
“We are here today to extend our appreciation and support to the administration of President Tinubu,” he said.
“The creation of the livestock ministry is something we have been advocating for and looking forward to for decades.”
He said the initiative had renewed the confidence of pastoralists and cattle breeders in the Federal Government, adding that the association was prepared to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The rally, held under the theme, United for Inclusion, Representation and Prosperity, attracted pastoralists, cattle breeders, livestock dealers, butchers, processors and political stakeholders from different parts of the country.
Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, urged livestock operators to take advantage of the ministry’s programmes to improve productivity, expand their businesses and strengthen their livelihoods.
Maiha identified inadequate veterinary services, limited access to pasture and water, high animal feed costs, poor market infrastructure and low productivity as major challenges affecting the industry.
He disclosed that seven veterinary hospitals had been completed and equipped under a World Bank-supported programme, while additional facilities were at various stages of development.
The minister also said the Federal Government planned to expand veterinary services across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with primary veterinary facilities envisaged for the country’s 774 local government areas.
On recurring tensions between farmers and pastoralists, Maiha called for dialogue, peaceful coexistence and responsible management of land and water resources.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the state had increased its budgetary allocation to livestock development from N1.48 billion in 2023 to more than N100 billion in 2026.
He added that the state government had introduced measures including livestock vaccination, artificial insemination and solar-powered water facilities in pastoralist communities.
