The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has mounted a fierce opposition to the Federal Government’s renewed cattle ranching initiative, warning that the programme could ignite fresh tensions across the region and carry far-reaching political consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the forum accused the Federal Government of attempting to use livestock development as a cover for what it described as the acquisition of ancestral lands belonging to indigenous communities in the Middle Belt for the benefit of Fulani pastoralists.

The forum said its position followed a detailed review of the government’s ranching proposal, which it claimed would pave the way for the establishment of permanent settlements in states that have borne the brunt of years of violent attacks and displacement.

According to the MBF, states across the Middle Belt, including Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Southern Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, have suffered repeated security crises linked to armed groups identified as Fulani militias. The group argued that communities still struggling to recover from years of bloodshed should not be asked to surrender additional land for ranching projects.

“We reject any policy that seeks to allocate Middle Belt lands for ranching under the guise of livestock development,” the forum said, insisting that such a move would amount to rewarding groups accused of contributing to the displacement of thousands of residents.

The MBF also directed criticism at the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, alleging that his background as a cattle breeder could influence decisions regarding the location of the proposed ranches.

The group questioned why several northern states with vast stretches of reportedly unoccupied land were not being prioritised for the pilot phase of the programme. It specifically mentioned states such as Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, Zamfara and parts of Kebbi, arguing that these areas possess sufficient land resources without generating the controversies now surrounding the Middle Belt proposal.

Adding to its concerns, the forum pointed to what it described as inconsistencies in the government’s choice of pilot locations. It noted that Kano State was initially listed among the proposed beneficiaries when the initiative was first announced in January 2026, but was later replaced by Nasarawa State.

The development, according to the MBF, has deepened suspicion among many residents that the programme may have objectives beyond livestock development.

The forum further argued that large portions of land across the Middle Belt have already been abandoned as a result of persistent insecurity and displacement. Rather than focusing on restoring displaced communities to their homes and strengthening security in affected areas, it said the government appeared to be considering additional land allocations for ranching settlements.

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The MBF also raised concerns over the much-publicised Wase Ranching Model in Plateau State, claiming that the project has generated resistance among local farmers and community members who fear losing ancestral lands. The forum alleged that support for the initiative largely comes from political elites and influential stakeholders rather than grassroots residents.

Warning against any attempt to impose the programme without broad-based consultations, the group said policies affecting land ownership and community livelihoods must be built on transparency, consent and adequate security guarantees.

It cautioned that failure to address local concerns could worsen existing grievances and create conditions for fresh conflicts in already fragile communities.

The forum urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the policy, warning that its implementation could have significant political repercussions in the Middle Belt, a region widely regarded as a critical voting bloc in national elections.

Calling for an immediate suspension of the initiative, the MBF encouraged affected communities to pursue legal and constitutional avenues to challenge any land acquisition they consider unlawful. It also appealed to lawmakers from the region to intervene and demand greater accountability from officials overseeing the programme.

The group further advised governors in affected states to tread carefully, warning that decisions involving community lands without widespread public approval could influence voter behaviour in future elections.

“The Middle Belt has suffered years of violence, displacement and loss. Any policy that appears to threaten the ownership of ancestral lands will be met with strong resistance from the people,” the forum stated.

The latest opposition adds another layer of controversy to the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector, a programme authorities say is aimed at reducing farmer-herder conflicts, boosting meat and dairy production, and transforming livestock management nationwide. However, with resistance mounting across parts of the Middle Belt, the debate over ranching, land rights and security is once again taking centre stage in Nigeria’s national discourse.