Yoruba/Fulani Clash: Outcome Of Makinde, And Northern Governors Visit To Shasa Market

News Rain Nigeria reports that Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Tuesday led other four governors from the northern part of the Country to scenes of the crisis that affected the Shasa market in Ibadan for on-spot – assessment.

The governors from the Northern zone of the country, led by Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), and Abubakar Bello (Niger), were conducted around the popular Shasa market by Governor Makinde to assess the level of destruction occasioned by the clash between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the area.

The governors during their visit proceeded to the residence of the Seriki Sasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin Katsina where they called for peace between the two ethnic groups.

Seriki of Shasa of Ibadanland, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin, in his welcome remarks regretted the unfortunate incident, however, lauded Governor Makinde for his peaceful relationship with the Hausa community since the inception of his administration.

Speaking at the Seriki Sasa’s Palace, Governor Makinde sued for peace and promised that his government would find means to restore peace to the community.

The governor said: “As a government, you trust and elected us into office, please trust our judgment to watch out for you and ensure that we coexist peacefully”

“There is nothing we can do in an atmosphere of unrest and disharmony.” Those who go to Iroko to continue trading, I will lock up the place.”

“When you are all ready to cooperate, you will come to me. When you have agreed that there won’t be any more bloodshed here, you will come to me, and then I will reopen the market. I beg you. We won’t lose any more lives.”

While addressing journalists shortly after the visit, the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu who spoke on behalf of other visiting governors called on the Hausa and the Fulani communities to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign, stressing that the four northern governors were sent to Ibadan to resolve the crisis by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Bagudu speaking with journalists at the Governor’s Office in Agodi Secretariat Ibadan, appealed to the aggrieved ethnic groups to maintain the peace and unity that have been in existence between the Hausa and the Yoruba communities from time immemorial.

Bagudu said we are well received by our host Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

He briefed us about what happened, and today, took us to Shasa market and on our way, there was a stopover at Bodija market and we are pleased that we saw Nigerians of all tribes in the market conducting their activity, which is evident of return of normalcy.”

“In fact, we saw onion sellers from different states, including Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto and Nigerians of other states. So, we went to Shasa market, we saw the level of destruction, but more than the destruction was the regrettable loss of lives that were caused by a regrettable condemnable spontaneous response to emotions because both the Hausa community and the Yoruba community were unanimous that two issues led to this situation.”

“First, there have been contentions over the leadership of the Sasa market. Even though the Seriki Sasa and the Baale of Sasa are in agreement about leadership, but other interested groups were no so carried along.”

“Then the trigger, there was somebody, either pushing or carrying a wheelbarrow with tomatoes and it fell in front of a shop. Ordinarily, that is just normal in a market, but once emotions are get up, and social media are instigating, unfortunately, we had the situation we had, which included loss of lives and we regretted and we sympathise with families of all those who lost their lives and property.”

“We saw the damage and we appreciate what the governor has done so far and the community leaders, youth groups and security agencies, and Nigerian Governors have been calling the governor over the last few days and we are glad that things are calming down and returning to normalcy and we are equally glad that in our visit, the Seriki Sasa and the Baale are firm that everyone is free to stay and conduct their lawful activities. And the governor he assured that he would continue to ensure that all communities are living without fear.”

“As we speak, it is certain that some people afraid about what will happen, so it is all on us to ensure that we communicate properly so that those who are living in fear whether in Ibadan or outside Ibadan in other states because others will now be in fear that there will be reprisal to know that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies are working hard to ensure that we treat things for what they are.”

“Incidences are bound to happen, sometimes, they are exploited by miscreants in the society to loot, to steal, and to cause mayhem, and part of what has happened in Ibadan has to do with that. Just like we saw during the EndSars riots, but we are glad reasons are prevailing and people are calming down and encouraging us.”

So, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum calls on all those whose communities are in fear to send their community leaders to the Government House in Ibadan so that the governor can send teams to ensure that those fears are addressed.”

“But for the generality of Nigerians, it is important to know that the streets of Ibadan are calm. There is nobody chasing each other and people are supporting each other to resume normalcy.”

To those outsides, particularly in the Northern states, we want to extend that a regrettable spontaneous incident has happened, but it is not a tribal conflict; it’s a regrettable conflict that the different communities in Oyo are working and holding each other’s hands to sort out.”

“So, we are glad that the governor is rendering assistance and we in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum are also going to support him, in fact, we have given a token to support those who are already displaced and we will meet at a wider forum tomorrow and I am sure more supports will be mobilised,” he assured.