Abuja Senatorial Contest 2027: I Will Propose Legislation to Establish Designated Ranches and Facilities for Cattle Owners
Maryam Aminu
The 2027 senatorial candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Juliet Muoneme, has pledged to sponsor legislation aimed at regulating cattle movement and ending the roaming of cows on Abuja streets and major roads if elected.
Muoneme made the commitment on Friday in Abuja during a media engagement with the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), where she said the persistent presence of cattle on major roads posed serious risks to residents and required a comprehensive policy response.
She explained that her proposed legislation would not merely seek to prohibit cattle from public roads but would establish a structured livestock management system, including designated ranches and other facilities for cattle owners.
“Not just stopping them from moving, but how do we take care of them too,” she said.
According to Muoneme, the vast landmass of the FCT provides sufficient space for properly organised ranches that could accommodate livestock owners while protecting residents from the dangers associated with open grazing.
Cattle roaming has remained a longstanding challenge in Abuja despite previous efforts by the FCT Administration to restrict open grazing. In 2021, the administration announced a ban on open grazing within the territory and proposed designated grazing areas.
However, the challenge has persisted. In June 2026, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike apologised to residents over the continued presence of cattle on Abuja roads and said he accepted responsibility for the situation.
Muoneme said her proposed intervention would seek to balance the interests of residents and livestock owners, stressing that cattle should be regarded as valuable economic assets rather than merely a source of urban inconvenience.
“FCT is so wide, is so large that we can actually create ranches,” she said.
She argued that organised ranching could unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain, including meat production, dairy, hides and skins, while reducing road accidents and other hazards associated with animals wandering across busy highways.
The PRP candidate said her experience in livestock management had demonstrated that cattle could be properly kept in designated locations rather than being allowed to roam freely.
“There will be two bills in one,” Muoneme said, explaining that her proposed legislative framework would combine the regulation of cattle movement with measures designed to improve livestock management and the welfare of cattle owners.
She emphasised that the objective would not be to criminalise livestock ownership, but to establish an organised system that protects residents while creating better conditions and economic opportunities for livestock owners.
Muoneme said the proposal would form part of her broader FCT RISE Agenda, which she described as the framework for her representation if elected.
According to her, the agenda would focus on Representation, Research, Innovation, Inclusion, Stewardship, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment, with policies targeted at challenges affecting residents across the FCT’s six area councils.
She identified housing, youth unemployment, skills development and limited access to economic opportunities among the issues requiring urgent attention.
On housing, Muoneme proposed stronger collaboration among government, private developers and financial institutions to expand access to affordable homes through mortgage arrangements.
She also proposed the establishment of an automobile hub where mechanics, electricians and other professionals could operate while engineering graduates receive practical, hands-on training.
Muoneme, who has a background in education, research and human-capacity development, said her political ambition was driven by a desire to provide practical solutions to societal challenges.
“Politics is not dirty. Politics is about leadership. Politics is service,” she said.
She maintained that an FCT senator must be a strong voice for residents across the six area councils and influence policies and projects capable of improving their quality of life.
Muoneme said regulating cattle movement would therefore constitute part of her broader strategy to promote urban order, create economic opportunities, protect residents and enhance the quality of life in Nigeria’s capital.
