President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said he lacks the constitutional powers to create the proposed cattle colonies across the country.

Speaking at the South-South zonal meeting of the National Committee of the Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, President Buhari, represented by Senator Ita Enang, his Special Adviser on National Assembly Affairs said the Land Use Act of 1978 only empowered state governors and local government chairmen to control the lands within their domains.

“When Nigeria became four regions, we had cattle routes in each of the regions. When Nigeria created states, each of the states made laws to regulate the rearing of animals.

“In 1978, with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as head of state, the Land Use Act was made. Under the Land Use Act, the President of Nigeria has power to control lands in Abuja only,” he said.

The Federal Government had proposed the establishment of colonies to curb the increasing cases of  violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, but the proposal seems to have hit the brick walls as several states have said they have no land for such purposes.