Former Governor Advises Oyo Governor To Be Proactive On Ethnic Clash

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria, says Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State must be proactive in dealing with security situations.

While sharing his experience as a former governor on Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics, Fayose said Makinde must ramp-up efforts in tackling the security challenges the state is currently facing.

HumAngle reported a clash between Yorubas and Hausas at Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, following an altercation between a pregnant Yoruba woman and a Hausa porter over waste disposal.

The fight led to the death of a cobbler named Shakirudeen Adeola trying to broker peace between the woman and the porter.

The ensuing crisis has resulted in the death of at least 11 persons and destruction of houses and shops in the community.

Makinde, on Saturday, imposed a curfew and ordered the market’s closure indefinitely.

HumAngle reported how different groups and individuals have condemned the clash and calling for peaceful coexistence in the state.

“Governor Makinde needs to be proactive. You know Oyo is a big state. Look at what happened in Igangan,” Fayose said.

He advised the governor to learn from his experiences.

“When a similar case happened in Ekiti, I was there the same day. I took charge of that community. I slept in that community,” he said.

“And when they mentioned names here and there, instead of fighting them, I went and looked for them and brought them to a round table.”

“And I’ve told governor Makinde this thing I’m telling you. I sat him down and told him, ‘see, Your Excellency, borrow from our experience. We’re generals in this field.”

He said governing a state should not preclude learning from others.

“With all humility, Governor Makinde would probably be 32 years when I first became governor. I was Governor with the likes of [Bola] Tinubu, [Orji] Kalu and other Governors at that time.”

“What I’m saying is that, share experience. That you’re a governor does not bring the totality of wisdom to you.”

“Your understanding is not enough for you; money is not enough for you. Office of the Governor; what does it mean to you? Before you start, you are done. We must share this experience, and we must pay attention to the governance of our states more than politics,” he said.