Northwest governors meet Makinde over inter-ethnic crisis at Shasha

FOUR governors from the Northwestern region of the country met with Governor ‘Seyi Makinde over the inter-ethnic crisis that erupted last Thursday at Shasha Market in Ibadan, the state’s capital.

The governors who made the trip to the Oyo State Government House on Monday  were Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger.

The governors left Kano for Ibadan after a town hall  meeting with the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

The Kano meeting, which was suspended midway, had to be rescheduled due to the absence of some stakeholders in the region.

Meanwhile, two governors from the zone could not make the visit to Oyo State. They were Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and Aminu Masari of Katsina.

Ahead of their meeting, Governor Makinde had declared in a broadcast that his government will ensure that justice is served on all the victims of the crisis that erupted between Hausa and Yoruba residents of Shasha Market in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan.

The governor disclosed that a judicial panel will also be inaugurated to investigate the crisis, adding that Peace and Security Committees will equally be put in place in all the zones of the state with a view to addressing the grievances and ensuring justice is served.

He also promised to give palliatives to affected traders and help rebuild destroyed property stressing that all he demanded from the warring parties was that they should sheathe their swords and let peace reign.

 A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor,Taiwo Adisa, also quoted the governor as  warning that whenever the people see the potential dangers of words and actions, they must take precautions.

“It is time to think about our self-preservation. It is time to put Oyo State first.”

Governor Makinde, who maintained that contrary to news circulating in the social media, the state government has been able to bring the situation in Shasha under control.

He stated that the situation has been de-escalated since around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“A curfew was put in place and there has been no further unrest since then.”

Makinde said that the incident was unfortunate, adding: “I visited Shasha Market and Ojoo in Akinyele Local Government Area yesterday, and I have met the people affected by the crisis. I am saddened by the loss of lives. I feel your pain. I understand your anger and frustrations. We will make things right.”

“As I stated yesterday, I have also ordered a full investigation into the immediate cause of the crisis and I promise that all culprits will be brought to book. Our administration will also be providing the needed support to ensure that those who lost their properties to the mayhem are compensated.

“I mourn the loss of lives that has occurred. Even when justice is served, nothing can bring back the dead. That is why I must also state that individuals who have taken to stoking up ethnic flames in Oyo State either through their utterances or actions or posts on social media are enemies of our state.”

He warned individuals exploiting the sad events in the state for political mileage to desist, stating that such individuals and those who fan the embers of crisis are not friends of the state.

He said: “The people who have decided to leverage these sad events to further their political goals are not our friends. These people handing us petrol and matches will not stand with us when the fire turns into an inferno.

Meanwhile, the statement issued by the governor’s aide did not disclose what was discussed by his principal and his guest as the meeting happened behind closed doors.