A Germany-based Nigerian politician and Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Oyo State, Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji Segelu, has called on the warring parties in the crisis that erupted last Friday in the Shasha area of Ibadan, Oyo State, to embrace peace and dialogue.
The crisis broke out at the popular Shasha market, Ibadan, after an unresolved brawl between a Hausa cart pusher selling tomatoes and a Yoruba cobbler. The Hausa man was said to have physically assaulted the Yoruba man who later died in the hospital.
In what could be described as a reprisal attack, youths of Yoruba origin grouped to launch an attack on the members of the Hausa community in the area and the Hausa youths equally grouped to resist them. This led to the burning of several shops and houses with casualties from both sides.
Hon. Segelu, in a statement, said peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious, political and cultural differences, was the only way Nigeria can remain a united, indivisible and indissoluble entity open for growth and development.
“I feel pained and disturbed about the deaths and quantum of destruction that has been done to the Shasha market located in my constituency (Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency) as a result of a minor misunderstanding between a Hausa man and a Yoruba man. I can’t imagine how a trivial issue that could have been amicably resolved would be allowed to escalate to a full-blown crisis between youths of two different ethnic groups. We really don’t need this kind of crisis. There are too many problems bedeviling us that we have to be united as a people to tackle them in the interest of our dear country. It makes no sense for us to be seen fighting and killing one another when we are supposed to come together to find a way out of the numerous challenges before us hindering our progress. Nigeria’s unity should be paramount in the minds of all Nigerians. Let us live together peacefully to promote unity in diversity and enhance national integration,” Segelu advised.
He urged the warring groups in the area to sheathe their swords and cooperate with the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, in the efforts being made to resolve the conflict and douse the tension caused by the crisis.
