Five Governors have arrived in Abeokuta for a peace meeting
with their Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun.
They are Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Abdullahi
Ganduje of Kano, Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi
and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.
The peace parley, which is being held at the Obas Complex,
Okemosan Abeokuta, is geared towards finding a solution to the recurring
clashes between farmers in Ogun State and Fulani herdsmen.
In the last one week, about 12
persons were reported to have been killed in Yewa area of Ogun State.
Welcoming the governors to the event that has in attendance,
traditional rulers, farmers, herders, community leaders, Abiodun said “it is
important that we gather and find lasting solutions on recent happenings in our
dear state, especially as it concerns the coexistence of farmers and herders.
The governor described as worrisome, the fact that people
who had co-existed peacefully for years are suddenly at each others throat on
account of sources of livelihood.
According to him, everything took a violent dimension in the
last couple of weeks, saying, “We have heard cases of arson, maiming and
killings in extreme instances.”
“Our first priority in Ogun State is the safety of lives and
property of everyone in our dear State irrespective of the circumstances of
their birth or religious leaning,” he said.
According to him, a fact-finding team constituted has
submitted an interim report to the Security Council of the state for
consideration.
“It became evident there are some elements intent on setting
our people against one another by whipping up ethnic sentiments.
“The recent avoidable conflicts left casualties and loss of
property on both sides.
“Those fomenting the crisis are said to be non-residents in
our state. Unfortunately, the crisis has been exacerbated by some undesirable
elements within and outside the state that whipped up ethnic sentiments.
“They sneak in at night, wreak havoc and retreat after their
evil acts.
“In whatever form, colour or ethnic group, a criminal is a
criminal. We condemn all forms of crimes and criminality, regardless of the
ethnicity of the perpetrators,” he submitted.
Abiodun explained that the presence of other governors
cutting across all political parties shows a joint commitment to the peaceful
resolution of the conflict and a reflection of the relationship and mutual
goodwill he shares with them.
He added that “they are also here because of their indigenes
that have lived here for many years peacefully and have accepted to lend their
voices to enable peaceful cohabitation.”
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