Tag: Yoruba

Makinde reopens Shasha market after reuniting Hausa, Yoruba communities

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Tuesday ordered the immediate reopening of Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

Recall TheNewsGuru (TNG) reported that governor had shut the market after Hausa and Yoruba traders clashed few weeks ago.

Some persons were killed, while houses were razed in the crisis.

While speaking with the leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba communities at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday, the governor promised to move workers to the site of the market so that work can begin immediately.

His words: “Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Shasa market. They will bring bulldozer to the market today.

“When my brother Governors visited Seriki Shasa palace, while we were working around, I realised that both the people I saw at Seriki’s place and those I met at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job.

“If you look at Oyo State, even when the COVID-19 was at its peak, I decided not to shut our market places because I know and also explained to the leadership of the country at the national level that in our state, we have people that the proceeds from what they get today will determine if they will eat tomorrow or not.”

February 23, 2021
Why Yorubas will lose more in war against Fulanis – Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has cautioned the Yorubas to stop the drum of war against the Fulanis in the southwest.

Oluwo argued “the lifestyle of many Fulanis is not worth fighting as they tend to lose nothing except their cows.”

A statement personally signed by the monarch on Friday cautioned the herders to respect human dignity.

He also appealed to Yorubas to consider their brothers in the northern parts of the country.

“The lingering Yoruba-Fulani saga is a fragile issue that demands a witty, technical approach. No doubt, the activities such as killing, kidnapping, raping perpetrated by the bad eggs among the Fulanis are condemnable.

“As a people, we must understand who to fight. I see Fulani as a section of the Hausas. And most Fulanis are not stationed in their origin. They have relocated and settled.

“Their most valued item is cows. Most of their properties are movable. Is this who we want to declare war against?”

“Declaring war against the Fulanis will be derogatorily translated to war against the Hausas. Fulanis are just a section of the Hausas. What will be the fate of billions of investments and properties of the Yorubas in the northern States?

“If their cows could be moved, how will our innocent sons and daughters in the northern states move their investments and properties? I see Yoruba losing more should there be war.

“I’m appealing to all and sundry to dignify human lives and toe the path of honour in sustaining a peaceful co-existence. War is an enemy of humanity. What war can do, peace can do better,” he added.

February 20, 2021
Fulanis are looking for war, plotting to destabilise South West

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said that those who are of the Fulani extraction are looking for war.

This is following the recent violence which erupted at Shasha market, Ibadan, Oyo State and the recent killings in the South-West by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The Shasha crisis claimed the lives of many people after a clash triggered by the death of a cobbler by a cart pusher.

Two men reportedly had a misunderstanding and in the process, the cart pusher, said to be a Hausa man, allegedly killed the cobbler, a Yoruba man.

The victim was confirmed dead in a hospital the following morning. This led to crisis in the community between the Hausa and the Yoruba.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, said the Fulani are looking for war, hence their orchestration of violence in some South-West states.

He alleged that the Fulani want to cause war in Yorubaland, so they would commit atrocities and take to their heels.

“Fulanis are looking for war, that’s why there has been unceased and orchestrated violence in Ondo, Oyo states and these are signs that they are looking for war at all cost. Look at the Shasha killings, it’s uncalled for and after they have finished perpetrating the atrocities, they took to their heels, they are running away in droves.

“Their herdsmen are in the forests, their market men and women are causing violence in the market places and Garba Shehu says if the president talks, he will be seen as a talkative. So it’s clear what they are looking for, they want to throw Yorubaland into some war; we are being careful about this because we know what they want.

“That was what (Sani) Abacha was planning to do in his days while he was throwing money all over the world and people are saying Abacha did not steal, he was throwing money to fight South-West. They want to perpetrate this agenda and we know what they are planning to do.”

February 16, 2021
Trending video: Sunday Igboho lambasts Ooni of Ife, labels Makinde, Tinubu Fulani slaves

Oduduwa right activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, on Tuesday lambasted and labelled the Ooni of Ife Enitan Ogunwusi; APC national leader, Bola Tinubu and the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrasheed Akanbi as Fulani slaves.

Igboho also alleged that the Ooni has refused to support the ongoing struggle to liberate the Yoruba from Fulanis after visiting Buhari in Aso Rock, where he (Ooni) was allegedly greased in palms with dollars.

Speaking during a virtual town hall meeting, Igboho said the Ooni is now shifting grounds against Yoruba interest on the expulsion of Fulani herdsmen in yorubaland.

A video obtained by TNG on the said meeting, slated for 11:00pm on Tuesday had more than 1000 participants from Nigeria and the Diaspora.

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Speaking in the course of the meeting, Igboho briefed the participants that he just arrived Oyo town to see Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, for a meeting. He said the monarch is in supporter of his struggle.

However, he begged the participants to query Ooni of Ife for refusing to ell Buhari the truth on the the troubling trend of killer herdsmen invasion of South-west region.

He said: “When Ooni visited Buhari, the president received him by standing up but he said something I don’t like. That is why the Alaafin called me. He wants to tackle what Ooni said.”

“Ooni should be able to tell Buhari about what Yoruba want. But he has collected dollars from Buhari. He called me but I don’t want to see him. Only Alaafin is supporting us and he has written a letter to the president. Ooni disappointed me. Politicians are with him,” he added.

Igboho also criticised Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo f Iwo, for calling himself an Emir. He said some Yoruba leaders have turned themselves into slaves of the ethnic tribe that oppresses their people because of money.

“The Oluwo will wear turban and start calling himself an Emir, our people should call him and tell him to stop what he is doing. Our leaders are lazy and slaves to Fulanis. They visit Abuja to collect money, we will attack them and destroy their property. Ooni should be dealt with. I am annoyed. Why should we be afraid of the crown they (Yoruba monarchs)wear?

“Tinubu and other Yoruba politicians are Fulani slaves. We need not be afraid. I have not collected any money from anyone. I am a full Yoruba man and I will not allow Fulani people to enslave me, we do not look or behave alike in any way. The herders should go. Makinde is also a slave to the herders because of second term ambition,” Igboho said”

Igboho had issued a seven-day ultimatum to herders in Ibarapa area of Oyo state, blaming them for kidnapping, killings, destruction of farmland and insecurity in the state.

After confronting the herders in Ibarapa with some youths in the area at the expiration of the ultimatum, he moved to Ogun state on Monday and was received by thousands of youths.

February 3, 2021
Fulani herdsmen: Ooni warns Sunday Igboho after visit to Buhari in Aso Villa

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has advised Sunday Adeyemo, well known as Sunday Igboho, not to take laws into his hands but allow constituted authorities to handle the herdsmen menace.

The monarch also warned Sunday Igboho to watch out for politicians seeking to hijack his agitations against killer herdsmen in the region.

This is coming after the first class monarch met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors in the Villa on Tuesday.

The prominent Yoruba monarch visited Aso Rock, amid heated ethnic tension in Ondo and some parts in Oyo state, generated by the recent locals-Fulani herders’ confrontation.

Speaking with the press after the meeting, According to Ooni of Ife, the purpose of his visit is connected with the simmering ethnic tension in some parts of the South West region.

He said it’s part of the duties of traditional rulers that everything is right, all and sundry of the country are in good shape.

“The take-home here is that Mr. President has assured it’s not going to be a political thing. We all know the problem all over the country because we have a lot of bad eggs that have mixed across the entire country, and we are having that situation again in the South West.

“So I am here as the co-chairman of the national council of traditional rulers to get the assurance of Mr. President that either of the party won’t turn to a political party fun fair in order not to risk the lives of our people, not only in the south-west but the entire country.

“I am happy he has told me that I should assure other traditional rulers to work with them now so that we can separate the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he added.

However, in another interview with Arise TV, the traditional ruler praised Igboho for taking on the campaign against herdsmen but advised him to allow constituted authorities to handle the menace.

The Ooni said Igboho has done very well, but he should back down so that government can take over the battles to avoid politicians hijacking the movement.

The monarch said: “Let us be very objective. He (Igboho) is being a mouthpiece for the downtrodden. He came up and everybody is listening now but my advice to him as a traditional ruler is that he needs to be very careful so that the politicians won’t hijack the whole motive from him.

“He has done well and we’ve already praised him but he shouldn’t take laws into his hands. We have the governor there, he is the chief security officer of the state and Mr President has invited him (Makinde). Let the right people that are being authorised to do what is right do it.

“He (Igboho) has done well and the world has heard him but everything should be done in moderation.”

He added: “We know that the bandits are everywhere. He shouldn’t take laws into his hands. We have laws in this country, and we should follow it. Let the right people chosen either our leader, let them follow what they are supposed to do.

He has done well, and we should leave it like that,” he said.

Speaking on the role of traditional rulers and other Yoruba leaders such as Aare Ona Kakanfo;

“Well, we cannot compare then and now, in the holding day, Yoruba have a dynasty, we have structure and by virtue of that, that is the structure that gave birth to Aare Ona Kakanfo.

January 28, 2021
Tension in Yorubaland: Ooni of Ife meets Buhari in Aso Rock( Photos)

First-class traditional ruler, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors in the Villa.

The prominent Yoruba monarch visited Aso Rock, amid heated ethnic tension in Ondo and some parts in Oyo state, generated by the recent locals-Fulani herders’ confrontation.

The details of the meeting or official release on the purpose of the traditional ruler’s visit is not known as at press time.

However, the visit may be connected with the simmering ethnic tension in some parts of the Southwest region.

January 27, 2021
2023: Gov. Makinde jabs Tinubu, says Nigeria needs security, restructuring not Yoruba presidency

The Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, has indirectly deflated the underground moves by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu to rally South West leaders in supporting his alleged bid to contest for the office of the president by 2023.

Makinde noted that Nigerians need adequate security and restructuring of the country much more than who occupies the presidency.

The governor who alluded to Tinubu in his statement as those running around the country because of their presidential ambition, said those politicians would soon know better.

Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, was quoted to have spoken in Ibadan at the handover of 33 operational vehicles and 396 motorcycles to the Oyo State Security Agency, popularly known as Operation Amotekun.

He had earlier given 25 vehicles to the police and Operation Burst to combat insecurity in the state.

Makinde said, “I have heard some of our political leaders jostling around and saying they want to become the president of Nigeria in 2023.

“I think what we need at this stage is to secure our people and restructure Nigeria. It does not matter who is the president in Abuja. In a restructured Nigeria, every corner of the country will feel the impact of government. That is what we need.

“May God protect those running around for presidency till 2022. By that time, we will meet and, by then, we will get to know whether it is restructured Nigeria or Yoruba presidency that we really need.”

Although he did not mention Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress leader had been travelling to some parts of the country while his foot soldiers have been going round to solicit support for his presidential ambition.

Makinde lauded Amotekun, saying the impact of the security agency was being felt all over the state.

December 16, 2020
Obasanjo reacts on alleged rift, reconciliation with Gani Adams

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to reports that he had a misunderstanding with the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams.

The former president said the speculation was because he refused to grant Gani Adams’ request to visit him, when he was president and after he left the office.

Obasanjo said he had a reservation for Adams’ past way of life, which he said, was not in accordance with his standards and principles.

Obasanjo said his meeting with Adams at the residence of a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Lekki was not on a reconciliatory mission.

Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, said he paid a visit to Adebanjo, but, met Adams there.

The statement was titled “No fight to warrant reconciliation with Adams – Obasanjo”.

The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to some publications reporting an acclaimed reconciliation between Gani Adams and myself at the residence of Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos today.

“It is true that I paid a personal visit to Chief Ayo Adebanjo at his residence in Lekki Phase 1 on December 2, 2020 and I met Gani Adams there.

“I have no quarrel with Gani Adams, but for his past way of life which was not in accord with my standards and principles. I have in the past, both in government and out of government, refused to grant Gani’s request to visit me.

“If at all anybody feels I have a quarrel with him or her that needs reconciliation, such reconciliation will, no doubt, take place in my residence in Abeokuta only.”

December 2, 2020
Ohanaeze condemns attempt to pit Yoruba against Igbo in Lagos

The apex Igbo socio-cultural and political body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has dissociated itself from inciting comments made by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, over the ongoing carnage in Lagos State.

President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, said this on Thursday in a statement titled, ‘#EndSARS: Alleged destruction of Yoruba economic assets, the Ohanaeze position’.

He said, “We wish to state that Ohanaeze is also outraged by the vituperative and inciting outrage of the leader of IPOB on the #EndSARS activities in Lagos and disassociate the body completely from them.”

The organisation said the statement was in response to a press statement earlier issued by a pan-Yoruba group, the Apapo O’Odua Koya on the ongoing youth uprising in Nigeria particularly in Lagos as it relates to Ndigbo youths.

Nwodo said, “We find the statement disheartening, not necessarily because of the untruth in its sentiment, but that it’s obviously being engineered and targeted at the age long good relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba.

“Ohanaeze strongly believes that the press statement is craftily drafted showing a skillful use of underhand tactics to achieve a set goal, which in this case is to set Yoruba against Ndigbo.

“We are ready to vehemently resist this in our time, knowing the historical affinity of these two great ethnic groups dating back to the days of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe through to the famous handshake across the Niger propagated by our iconic leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu.

“This spontaneous relationship built by our forefathers over the years has been strengthened in the last three years by the political emancipation movement, being propelled by the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum made up of four ethno-political bodies of Ndigbo, in the South East, Afenifere in the South West, PANDEF in the South-South, Adenomere and the Middle Belt Forum in the North Central Nigeria.

“Ohanaeze feels based on intelligence available to it that the motive of this disturbing statement is not only to overtake the mileage covered by this group in setting their people free from the hegemonic bondage but to ensure its destruction.

“Ndigbo are focused and unequivocal about what they want in a contemporary Nigeria as already articulated in the terms of engagement of this group which is to restructure Nigeria for a true federal system where justice and equity will reign.

“We therefore wish to refute any position being ascribed to Ndigbo even if such position is being adduced by an Igbo that is not within the realm of the struggle to free Nigeria as encapsulated in the terms of agreement of these ethnic nationalities.”

Ohanaeze denied allegations that the Igbo youth involvement in Lagos #EndSARS protest was part of a grand design to destroy Yoruba economy.

October 23, 2020
[GRAPHIC PHOTOS] Burnt corpses, vehicles, other properties liter Lagos community after bloody tribal clash

After three days of unrest at Fagba, Iju area of Lagos, some corpses burnt beyond recognition were on Thursday recovered on the streets.

This included cars and other business ventures razed down during the tribal clash between the Hausas and the Yorubas in the area.

TheNewsGuru,TNG reports that eight people were killed during the fight, as the #EndSARS protest degenerated into a communal clash which saw residents fleeing their homes to neighbouring community for fear of reprisal attacks.

See photos:

October 22, 2020