Land Use Act tears delegates apart

There was heated debates by delegates for and against the issue with southern delegates supporting the removal while their northern counterparts were kicking against it.   Southern delegates want the Act to be removed and allow communities and individuals control it while northerners insisted that the status quo where land is held in trust by state […]

There was heated debates by delegates for and against the issue with southern delegates supporting the removal while their northern counterparts were kicking against it.   
Southern delegates want the Act to be removed and allow communities and individuals control it while northerners insisted that the status quo where land is held in trust by state governments should remain.    
Professor Auwalu Yadudu argued against the abrogation of the Act or its removal from the constitution but supported compensation for lands acquired by the government.
Buba Galadima from Yobe state said removing the Land Use Act from the constitution was bound to create problems as those who have money would buy over land from the poor owners.
He was supported by Dr Junaid Mohammed who said: “This is the most capitalistic report this conference has had the misfortune to receive.”
Mohammed said he was completely convinced that expunging the Land Use Act from the constitution would create problems as land still remains a very valuable resource.
“What is behind the recommendation is nothing but class interest,” he said explaining that those who have money would corner everything.
He said, “It is in the interest of this country that land is left in trust with government.”
The deputy chairman of the conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who was presiding, said the matter would be stepped down until the secretariat consults with some key stakeholders.
But the plenary out-rightly rejected the recommendation on the establishment of the National Land Commission describing it as unnecessary and an attempt to duplicate the Land Use Act.
On internal boundaries, the conference decided that a National Boundary Tribunal be established by the federal government to adjudicate on boundary matters in a bid to avoid disputes necessitated by the absence of such a body.
On Bakassi, the conference rejected the committee’s recommendation of revisiting the matter, saying since Nigeria had appeared before the ICJ and defended its position before ruling was given, the country remains legally bound to accept and abide by the judgment of the court.