The Non-indigenes Forum in Alimosho has vowed to ensure all its members vote for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections.
The forum is made up of artisans, community leaders, royal fathers and clergies. It cuts across the six local council development areas in the old Alimosho
A statement by the Chairman of the Elders Council, Eze Lawrence Eze, who is the Ezendigbo Alimosho, and the chief co-ordinator, Hon. Paul Eze, said it would ensure a landslide victory of APC candidates. It said the decision was taken after an evaluation of the candidates.
Eze Lawrence urged APC party faithful to put their house in order, mind their local governments, according to him saying ‘your strength or relevance in the party depends on your ability to deliver your local government to the party’. He warned the party leaders to beware of “some of the acclaimed Igbo leaders floating everywhere. They are neither here nor there to avoid the repeat of the 2015”.
He also advised APC leaders to back the group to deliver on its promise.
The Seriki Hausa General Alimosho and the deputy chairman elders council of the group, Alhaji Ahmed Haruna, advised the party and the campaign managers of some of the candidates to adopt politics of inclusiveness. He added that some campaign managers were not carrying along. He observed that the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Senator representing his constituency, Senator Solomon Olamilekan, visited Alimosho without acknowledging leaders of non-indigenes.
The forum announced its proposed rally to showcase its strength and to campaign for APC. All APC candidates in the old Alimosho will be adopted at the rally.
The Non-indigenes Forum in Alimosho has vowed to ensure all its members vote for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections.
The forum is made up of artisans, community leaders, royal fathers and clergies. It cuts across the six local council development areas in the old Alimosho
A statement by the Chairman of the Elders Council, Eze Lawrence Eze, who is the Ezendigbo Alimosho, and the chief co-ordinator, Hon. Paul Eze, said it would ensure a landslide victory of APC candidates. It said the decision was taken after an evaluation of the candidates.
Eze Lawrence urged APC party faithful to put their house in order, mind their local governments, according to him saying ‘your strength or relevance in the party depends on your ability to deliver your local government to the party’. He warned the party leaders to beware of “some of the acclaimed Igbo leaders floating everywhere. They are neither here nor there to avoid the repeat of the 2015”.
He also advised APC leaders to back the group to deliver on its promise.
The Seriki Hausa General Alimosho and the deputy chairman elders council of the group, Alhaji Ahmed Haruna, advised the party and the campaign managers of some of the candidates to adopt politics of inclusiveness. He added that some campaign managers were not carrying along. He observed that the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Senator representing his constituency, Senator Solomon Olamilekan, visited Alimosho without acknowledging leaders of non-indigenes.
The forum announced its proposed rally to showcase its strength and to campaign for APC. All APC candidates in the old Alimosho will be adopted at the rally.
Non-indigenous women in Ebonyi State have endorsed presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar.
The women said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government had failed to live up to the minimum expectations of Nigerians in infrastructure, security and job creation.
The women spoke yesterday at the Friends of Atiku Campaign Office in Abakaliki, when they visited the state coordinator, Linus Abaa Okorie.
Leader of Benue women in Ebonyi State Mrs. Ujoh Rose condemned the “disheartening” treatment” meted out to the women under the APC government, saying the time had come to end the ugly development.
She noted that women were not being carried along in the scheme of things due to the belief of the leaders that women should belong to the “other room”.
Mrs. Ujoh, who retired as an assistant director of Administration in the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, said: “If you study how politicians handle women and youths during campaigns and after elections, it is very disheartening because they only value us during elections and discard us after victory.
“Since I retired from service, no benefits, no entitlements, nothing at all. Each time I call the man in charge, he will say I am in a meeting. What kind of meeting is that that holds everyday and which does not end? It is time to change that, and it is our belief that Atiku Abubakar will be very different when he comes on board on May 29.
“As leaders of women groups from various tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria, we shall galvanise our fellow women to ensure Atiku’s victory on February 16.”
Mrs. Hajia Adiza Abubakar, leader of Hausa Women from Adamawa State, said chilling reports of killings and insecurity across the country demand urgent attention, stressing that Atiku Abubakar is the only presidential candidate with the experience and political will to tackle the challenges.
She said: “All these killings, hunger and unemployment everywhere in Nigeria should be addressed, and I know that my brother Atiku will stop it when he becomes President. All our women have decided to vote for him for the betterment of Nigeria.”
Okorie praised the women for the visit, and assured them that Nigeria would be great and prosperous under Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
He directed the women’s coordinator of the Friends of Atiku, Mrs. Eze Mercy, to work with the women to ensure Atiku’s victory in next month’s polls.
Non-indigenous women in Ebonyi State have endorsed presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar.
The women said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government had failed to live up to the minimum expectations of Nigerians in infrastructure, security and job creation.
The women spoke yesterday at the Friends of Atiku Campaign Office in Abakaliki, when they visited the state coordinator, Linus Abaa Okorie.
Leader of Benue women in Ebonyi State Mrs. Ujoh Rose condemned the “disheartening” treatment” meted out to the women under the APC government, saying the time had come to end the ugly development.
She noted that women were not being carried along in the scheme of things due to the belief of the leaders that women should belong to the “other room”.
Mrs. Ujoh, who retired as an assistant director of Administration in the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, said: “If you study how politicians handle women and youths during campaigns and after elections, it is very disheartening because they only value us during elections and discard us after victory.
“Since I retired from service, no benefits, no entitlements, nothing at all. Each time I call the man in charge, he will say I am in a meeting. What kind of meeting is that that holds everyday and which does not end? It is time to change that, and it is our belief that Atiku Abubakar will be very different when he comes on board on May 29.
“As leaders of women groups from various tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria, we shall galvanise our fellow women to ensure Atiku’s victory on February 16.”
Mrs. Hajia Adiza Abubakar, leader of Hausa Women from Adamawa State, said chilling reports of killings and insecurity across the country demand urgent attention, stressing that Atiku Abubakar is the only presidential candidate with the experience and political will to tackle the challenges.
She said: “All these killings, hunger and unemployment everywhere in Nigeria should be addressed, and I know that my brother Atiku will stop it when he becomes President. All our women have decided to vote for him for the betterment of Nigeria.”
Okorie praised the women for the visit, and assured them that Nigeria would be great and prosperous under Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
He directed the women’s coordinator of the Friends of Atiku, Mrs. Eze Mercy, to work with the women to ensure Atiku’s victory in next month’s polls.
Visibly excited non-Igbo residents in Enugu State, representing different ethnic communities of diverse socio-cultural, political and religious background across the country, under the auspices of United Inter-Community Forum, on Wednesday, converged on the Government House, Enugu, in their large numbers and unanimously endorsed Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office.
The jubilant non-indigenes, who disclosed that the forum’s prime objective was to foster unity in diversity to promote good governance through leadership integrity and commitment to excellence, stated that the decision was because of the governor’s “selfless, resounding, impeccable, excellent and outstanding leadership qualities”, which they said have engendered peace and good governance in the state. They added that Gov. Ugwuanyi has maintained a “high degree of disciplined leadership integrity” that promotes peaceful co-existence and national unity.
Noting that “this is the first time in history, United Inter-Community Forum was coming out publicly to support a serving governor”, the forum, which announced Gov. Ugwuanyi as its grand patron, disclosed that his administration has made frantic efforts in securing lives and property of the people of the state” as well as the various communities resident in Enugu State”.
Presenting their heartfelt stance, the President General of the forum, Comrade Andrew Tyonongo, said they were highly impressed that Enugu is being rated as one of the most peaceful and secure states in the country, adding that the governor’s introduction and equipping of Enugu State Security/ Neighbourhood Watch groups, in collaboration with the security agencies, have gone a long way to ameliorate extreme security challenges in the state.
On education, the group expressed delight at the governor’s “excellent commitment, dedication and efforts in the area” through his “pragmatic policy of massive mobilization, renovation and rehabilitation of public primary, secondary and tertiary schools across the state, making them convenient, safe and friendly for learning”.
They told the governor that his “innovations in this sector particularly, have brought life into public educational system in Enugu State, consequently redeeming and regaining its pride of place in the educational system”.
The forum also commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s special attention in the provision of basic infrastructure, especially in the rural areas, pointing out that the policy framework of the “one community, one project programme with multi-million naira mobilization” has made all the communities in the state chief drivers of infrastructural developments based on their priorities.
The non-igbo residents maintained that their endorsement of the governor’s re-election was also based on his commitment to the welfare of the state’s workers, particularly the regular payment of their salaries and retirees’ pensions.
They further stated that Ugwuanyi is “the only governor who pays workers the 13thmonth salary”, disclosing that “Enugu State workers are happy and proud of you because salaries and pensions are paid when due”.
The body equally applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for the various empowerment schemes of his administration aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the masses, especially the traders, youths and underprivileged, revealing that through his human resource development and capacity building initiatives, 2000 youths were gainfully employed to clean up the state.
“Your Excellency, conscious of your broad-minded stewardship and leadership capacities as clearly acknowledged above and many too numerous to mention because of constraint of time, the entire body of United Inter-Community Forum, Enugu State Chapter, is here to give her support to you and also to advocate, mobilize, consult and intensify campaigns for your continuity as the best option in the forthcoming gubernatorial election come 2019.
“This forum is very much aware of your esteemed love and respect for traditional and religious institutions, as well as your constant intervention and advocacy for peaceful co-existence among communities in the state”, they further stated.
Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who welcomed members of the forum to the Government House, thanked them for their solidarity, goodwill, support, and the endorsement, noting that the honour shows that the efforts of his administration to improve the living standard of the people are being appreciated.
He therefore, reassured them of his administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of every resident of the state, irrespective of state of origin, religion or ethnicity.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on non-indigenes to partner his administration to sustain peace for development to thrive.
Okowa spoke yesterday in Asaba when the leadership of Arewa community visited as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
The governor was represented on the occasion by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Festus Agas.
He told the community that his administration would continue to carry them along as stakeholders in development of the state and urged them to be patriotic.
Okowa noted that Delta has been peaceful when compared with some other states, and thanked the group for its love, understanding and loyalty.
Leader of the group Alhaji Muktar Usman described the governor as a detribalised Nigerian, and assured him of its continued support.
Usman, who is the special adviser to the governor on Non-Indigene Affairs, thanked Okowa for his usual support and encouragement to the community.
The Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes (SCNI), at the weekend, held a crucial meeting with the Government of Bayelsa State, to seek ways of deepening existing peace and unity in the state.
The council, which comprises all non-indigenes living in the state, met with the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, at the Information House, Yenagoa.
Iworiso-Markson, told the non-indigenes that the country must embrace peaceful co-existence and promote unity to achieve national integration and development.
The President-General, SCNI, Alh. Ade Bakare, commended the commissioner for his professionalism in managing the government’s image since assumption of duty.
Highlight of the occasion was the conferment of Iworiso-Markson with the patron-ship of the Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes with a promise to perform the formal investiture at a later date.
Nigerians residing outside their states of origin, under the aegis of the National Integration Forum (NIF), have urged the Federal Government to expunge its “state of origin” policy.
The forum spoke at its annual conference in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
NIF comprises Nigerians residing outside their states of origin, according to the constitution.
Addressing the conference, the forum’s National President Dr Camillus Asumu said government’s use of “state of origin” policy promotes mediocrity above merit, adding that it also divides Nigerians.
Asumu said the constitutional provision that any citizen, who has resided and paid tax in any part of Nigeria for a number of years, should prevail over “state of origin” factor because it enhances national integration and encourages Nigerians to contribute their best to wherever they choose as home.
The NIF chief noted that millions of non-indigenes are negatively affected by the “state of origin” policy, which he said created identity problems for them.
According to him, such persons are neither accepted at their place of residence nor where their parents hail from.
Asumu said: “State of origin should be removed and be replaced with state of residence. It should be removed from all official documents to foster national integration. The Nigerian constitution states that if you have lived in a place for a number of years, you have become part of that place. So, you are entitled to enjoy all your rights as a Nigerian citizen there.
“As non-indigenes, we don’t enjoy our fair share as citizens in our place of residence simply because people say we were not born by the natives of the place. This is in spite of our huge number and contributions to the economic development of the place.
“We believe that we are all Nigerians regardless of where we live. All citizens should enjoys all rights as enshrined in the constitution. We should be allowed to contest for the highest position anywhere in Nigeria.
“We are the farmers, traders, professionals and artisans. We believe we are being unfairly treated in many states. So, we demand respect.
“God made this nation great by bringing people of different tongues, religions and origins together as one country. Yet, we have bonded in spite of our differences.”
The forum also posited that Nigeria should be restructured to make the local government the basis of governance and development efforts. It argued that the local government is the closest to the people, hence, it should enjoy the freedom to generate its resources and contribute to the state and the centre.
A group, Youth for National Unity (YNU), has lauded Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for employing non-indigenes into the state civil service.
A statement in Lokoja yesterday by the National Coordinator, Prince Uche Emeka and Alhaji Yerima Abubakar, said they were in the state on a fact-finding mission and have done their independent investigation concerning governance.
It noted that the non-tribal disposition of the governor, which, according to their findings, united the three senatorial districts, has further promoted the governor to national limelight.
The statement reads: “We are non-political and have no sponsor. We have been on assessment tour of the 36 states. Though the government is yet to clock one year, but we can beat our chest to tell the world that the governor is doing well in terms of infrastructure and security.”
The group, which emphasised the need for peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups in the country, said the only way to foster unity in the country is to allow free choice of employment to every citizen in any part, without discrimination, just as Bello had demonstrated.
Last week was a bloody and turbulent one for residents of Ado-Ekiti. A clash between commercial drivers and Hausa traders set the city on fire. As if that was not enough, the city’s main market was burnt by unidentified persons. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports that many may not easily recover from the havoc
Wednesday, May 20 was like any other day for residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. They had woken up that morning to carry out their normal day-to-day activities.
They never had an inkling that danger was lurking around the corner; they never thought that something akin to Armageddon was about to descend on the city.
In a matter of minutes, violent clashes erupted. Businesses and traffic were paralysed. Guns boomed and blood flowed. Suddenly, the bright azure sky was darkened by thick, black smoke billowing from houses and shops that were set ablaze.
It was bestiality at its worst. There was an orgy of looting. Money, vehicles, buildings, goods and other valuables were lost.
Fear and uncertainty descended the town. Nobody knew what would happen next. In a matter of minutes, the streets were deserted.
The phone lines were buzzing. Residents were placing calls to their loved ones to ascertain their whereabouts; giving them tips on where to avoid so as not to be caught in the crossfire and fiery darts being hurled by gladiators in the violence.
Independent sources claimed that three lives were lost but the police maintained that nobody died.
According to the police, 24 people were wounded and had been taken to undisclosed hospitals for medical treatment.
•Members of Hausa community being evacuated to Shasha, Ibadan
Commercial drivers and Hausa traders were the ‘actors’ in the theatre of war that rocked Ado-Ekiti to its foundation.
The clash was fierce in areas such as Atikankan (which has the highest concentration of Hausa in Ado-Ekiti), Old Garage, Ijigbo, Isato, Igbehin and Erekesan Market.
Business activities had been paralysed in places such as Irona, Okesa, Okeyinmi and Ajilosun.
Two of the victims reportedly died at Atikankan where the violence later spread to.
A cameraman working for a Lagos-based television station, CORE TV, Sunday Adigun, was wounded by hoodlums. They also smashed his camera while he was covering the clash.
The hoodlums were armed with guns, bottles, charms, machetes, cudgels, knives, petrol and matches.
Tension generated by the clash led to the closure of banks, shops, motor parks, markets and other commercial outlets.
What caused the crisis? What turned the indigenes against the Hausa? These were questions people tried hard to unravel.
The alleged robbing of a wife of a commercial driver of a sum of N36, 000 the previous night, it was gathered, sparked the mayhem. It was also gathered that the culprit allegedly escaped through Sabo which has a high concentration of Hausa.
Some source claimed that the driver’s wife was raped after she was robbed. This infuriated the drivers as they launched a manhunt for the culprit; demanding that he be produced by the Hausa who were accused of harbouring the culprit.
The drivers stormed all the known residences of the Hausa launching attacks while the Hausa also mobilised themselves in order to launch their own counter-attacks.
Ijigbo, Mugbagba, Oja Oba, New Garage and Old Garage turned to war zones, even as vehicles hurriedly deserted the streets.
The Bureaux de Change outfits operated by the Hausa were attacked and cash both in local and foreign currencies were stolen by hoodlums.
•Members of Hausa community being evacuated to Shasha, Ibadan
Heaps of destroyed items such as onions, pepper, tomatoes and dried fish apparently belonging to the Hausa were burnt with their relics littering the ground.
The Commissioner of Police, Etop John James led a team of police men in about 15 patrol vehicles to bring the situation under control.
The police chief’s presence brought normalcy to the scene where he was present but clashes continued in other areas.
James expressed regrets over the incident and pledged that the police would do everything possible to prevent the escalation of the mayhem.
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ekiti State has denied involvement in the mayhem which rocked Ado-Ekiti.
The State Secretary of the union, Akinsola Osundiya said the particular loading point where the violence occurred did not belong to the NURTW.
Osundiya faulted a report in a national daily (not The Nation) which accused members of the union of being involved in the mayhem.
Describing NURTW as a responsible union, Osundiya urged the public to discountenance the report.
Shortly after arriving from an official trip to Abuja on Thursday, Governor Ayo Fayose slammed a dusk-to-dawn curfew to prevent the spread of the violence.
Fayose, who gave the order while addressing members of the Hausa community in Atikankan area of the town directed security agencies to arrest anybody who flouts the curfew.
The governor, who appealed to the restive Hausa community for calm vowed that the perpetrators of the violence would be fished out to face the full wrath of the law.
He warned those still carrying arms to submit them to the police, saying anybody caught with weapons would be severely dealt with.
Fayose said: “I want to plead with you to submit whatever lethal weapon you have in your possession to the police. And if you refuse to do this, whether you are Yoruba or Hausa, the police will arrest you.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and for the sake of our country, I plead with you to allow peace to reign.”
According to the governor, the violence would be thoroughly investigated and those found to be connected with the wanton destruction would be prosecuted.
However, the dusk-to-dawn curfew has been lifted on Sunday.
The Head of the Hausa community, Adamu Imam, called on the government to compensate them for the massive loss they incurred during the mayhem.
Imam told the governor that the names of the perpetrators of the violent attack had been compiled and would be made available to him and security agencies for necessary actions.
The State Police Command has disclosed that the number of those injured during the violence has risen to 24.
The command spokesman, Alberto Adeyemi refuted the claim of the eyewitnesses that three persons died in the incident.
He added that the police have stationed three units of mobile policemen at the scene of the attack, to arrest whoever plans to foment trouble between the feuding groups.
Traders who ventured out a day after the clash went to inspect the remains of their business centres destroyed during the violence.
A rice seller, Mrs. Ajoke Olofin, said all she laboured for had gone with the crisis, even as she called on the government to assist those who incurred losses.
She said the destruction and looting of her shop has left her business in the ruins; wondering how she would recover from the loss.
A Hausa trader, Adamu Umar wept uncontrollably while inspecting the ruins of his shop at Oja Oba. He called for government’s assistance.
He also called for the arrest of the perpetrators of the mayhem and prosecution of the culprits.
A widow, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Majiyagbe revealed that hoodlums burnt down her six-room apartment which had been her source of livelihood.
Meanwhile, non-indigenes Youth Alliance (NYA), the umbrella body for non-indigenes resident in Ekiti State, has condemned the attack on their members by some drivers, describing the act as uncivilised and bestial.
In a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Abdurrahman Oziandu, the group said they never expected their shops to be looted in such a brazen manner, even when the security agencies are still active and deemed to be alive to their responsibilities.
The body, which praised Governor Fayose for quick intervention in resolving the issue, called on relevant agencies to beef up security so that their members can return to work without fear of being molested or intimidated by hoodlums.
Oziandu said mostly hit by the attack were Igbo, Hausa, Nupe and Ebira. He accused the assailants of reselling the looted commodities at cheaper rates to interested persons.
He said: “The event of Wednesday last week was the second in history, when some indigenes, hiding under their popularity in attacking whoever is not a member of their tribe over issues that could be resolved.
“We are giving this last warning that they should not allow this to happen again. As non-indigenes, we will continue to conduct our businesses peacefully.
“But we challenge the security agencies to protect the lives and property of our people. As we speak, about 50 of our members are still receiving medical treatments in various hospitals.
“We call on the governor to come to the aid of the affected persons, so that they can return to their businesses without delay.”
In another development, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, has called on the State Commissioner of Police to arrest those that launched attacks on some journalists in the state while covering the crisis that broke out among Hausa traders and drivers in Ado-Ekiti.
During the mayhem, the CORE TV cameraman in Ekiti, Adigun was attacked and his camera smashed by gun-wielding goons.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the chairman of the NUJ, Laolu Omosilade, condemned the attack, saying it was highest point of barbarism in this modern time.
Omosilade urged Nigerians to take a cue from advanced countries of the world, where journalists are accredited and adequately protected to cover wars and more serious crisis.
He praised Governor Fayose and Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe for their concerns in stemming the tide of violence in the state. He urged the feuding parties to embrace peace and allow normalcy to be restored.
Although a curfew was in place, residents of Ado-Ekiti received greater shock on Friday last week when the Erekesan Market; the biggest market in the city, was set ablaze by yet-to-be-identified individuals.
Tongues are wagging in Ado-Ekiti how the hoodlums found their way to the market otherwise known as Oja Oba (king’s market) despite the deployment of regular and riot policemen in the wake of the curfew.
Humanitarian crisis is also looming with the evacuation of the Hausa to the outskirts of nearby Ikere-Ekiti to prevent further clashes with commercial drivers.
Many of the traders were woken up from their sleep as early as 1:30 a.m. by calls from residents who had gotten wind of the inferno and alerted them to go and evacuate their shops before the fire does further damage.
Worst hit by the fire incident was a section of the market known as “Lagos Line” which has the highest concentration of textile shops, supermarkets, gifts shop and other items.
Not less than 50 shops and two residential buildings were completely burnt down in the early morning fire.
The fire still raged till about 5:00 a.m. but most of the shops were still smoldering at 7: 00 a.m. when reporters got to the scene.
Men of the State Fire Service who got to the scene of the incident could not put out the fire.
A thick pall of mourning and gloom enveloped the market as the affected traders, members of their families and friends wailed inconsolably; bemoaning their losses which they described as “very huge”.
Some of them fainted on sighting their shops which had been reduced to ashes by the fire.
Some indigenes of Ado-Ekiti regarded the attack as a reprisal by the Hausa settlers who were mostly affected by the attack of Wednesday carried out by suspected members of drivers’ unions.
Many residents who were on their way to their workplaces had to go home on sighting thick smoke billowing from the market; giving a signal that “the city was on fire.”
Most of the schools were shut as students and pupils hurriedly returned home while those yet to leave their homes did not bother to venture out.
Banks, petrol stations, motor parks, corporate offices and other commercial centres were closed.
Truck-load of mobile and regular policemen as well as soldiers were immediately drafted to the scene on the orders of the state government to prevent escalation of the crisis and prevent massive looting.
A number of residents were also randomly arrested by men of the state police command in connection with the development.
Governor Fayose, who personally led security team that included the Commissioner of Police to the scene, expressed worry at the turn of event despite his imposition of dusk-to-dawn curfew which was lifted on Sunday.
He said the incident would not, in any way, compel him to declare a 24-hour curfew as suggested by some people.
Governor Fayose ordered that four ASHOK LEYLAND luxury buses belonging to government be immediately mobilised to convey all Hausa residents (including women and children) to Shasha, located at the outskirts of Ikere-Ekiti.
The governor, who, for more than three hours, personally monitored the evacuation, premised his action on the fact that he is a father to all residents, irrespective of their tribe, religion or gender.
He said the Hausa community would be at the new place for the time being, and would be heavily guarded by both soldiers and mobile policemen.
James disclosed that the police worked tirelessly from 1:00 a.m. to prevent what could have degenerated into an uncontrollable situation.
He hailed the governor for racing to the scene to team up with the police to prevent the crisis from getting out of hands when he (Fayose) was called in the early hours of the day.
James warned that the police have been mobilised to deal with troublemakers; assuring law-abiding residents of their safety in the pursuit of their legitimate businesses.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, visited the community to sympathise with them over the losses it incurred during the violence that rocked Ado-Ekiti last week.
Fayemi, who visited the community at Shasha, on the outskirts of Ikere-Ekiti where they had been relocated, promised that the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration would assist them.
The ex-governor also paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Erekesan Market that was burnt by unidentified persons to inspect the level of damage.
He also visited the Oba Adejugbe to commiserate with him over the mayhem unleashed on the city twice within the week and the spate of kidnapping recently witnessed in the state.
The former governor, who was at the palace in company of officials who served in his administration, said his visit was to identify with the Ewi and the people of Ado-Ekiti over the civil disturbances and the torching of the Erekesan Market.
He urged residents of Ekiti to unite and fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes for the state to witness peace and development.
Fayemi said kidnapping of Ekiti professionals and other innocent people is unacceptable and must not be allowed to fester so that the state would be a destination for investors.
He regretted the negative image Ekiti has acquired in recent times, which he said is affecting the economy, adding that operators of the hospitality industry are complaining of low patronage on account of the security situation in the state.
Fayemi said: “Some of my colleagues and friends would have accompanied me to Ekiti but many of them declined the invitation as a result of the spate of violence and kidnapping.
“I don’t think Ekiti deserves this negative label which is why I am calling on well-meaning indigenes of this state to join hands with those who are willing to return peace to the state.”
Fayemi expressed sadness that the good relationship that hitherto existed among Ekiti indigenes and Hausa settlers had become strained; leading to massive destruction of property.
He called on all Ekiti people and other stakeholders to join hands against the twin evil of violence and kidnapping which, according to him, are strange to the culture of the land.
Responding, Oba Adejugbe appreciated Fayemi for his visit, urging the former governor not to rest on his oars in ensuring that peace reigns in the state.
The monarch revealed that a committee, which is made up of major stakeholders, has been constituted to take an inventory of the property damaged during the clash, explaining that the committee had swung into action.
Oba Adejugbe described Ekiti people as “very accommodating”. He urged them to live in peace with other Nigerians and never to allow the relationship to be marred by primordial sentiments.
Partisan interests are cashing in on the development to express their positions on what they felt was the genesis of the bedlam.
But Fayose has warned politicians and political parties against politicising the recent breach of security and public peace in the state.
The main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Governor Fayose should be held responsible for various acts of violence in the state, saying the current spread of violence in the state capital had the imprints of the usual government-orchestrated violent acts to achieve a pre-determined end.
Reacting to the recent violent acts rocking the state, APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, regretted that Ekiti people were used to the government-inspired violent acts, which they experienced between 2003 and 2006 during the governor’s first stint and so there was little to worry about on the same pattern of serial violence that was rocking the state.
“We had, on several occasions, raised the alarm over importation of thugs who are quartered in the Government House. Since their arrival, Ekiti State has slid to the era of one-day-one trouble that characterised Fayose’s government between 2003 and 2006.
“Eminent lawyer, Femi Falana, also raised the same concern, calling on the governor to send away his thugs to allow peace to reign in Ekiti State,” Olatubosun said.
The party sympathised with Hausa and Igbo traders, who it described as victims of government-inspired violence to create a sense of insecurity to enable the governor to devise extra-security measures that would allow him to achieve a pre-determined end.
The APC spokesman urged the security agencies to consider treating the party’s petitions on various acts of violence by the thugs kept in Government House and devise a means of ending violence in Ekiti State.
“We recall various unprecedented attacks on our members, their houses, our offices and tearing or burning down of the posters and billboards of our candidates during electioneering campaigns over which we petitioned the National Human Rights Commission.
“After the elections, kidnappings began. Now is the time pit the thugs against Hausa and Igbo traders to create ethnic tension that has the potential for national crisis while at the same time the governor is planning to inaugurate the new House of Assembly on June 1 to create anarchy.
“It is regrettable that we are back to the era of one-day-one trouble that marked out Fayose as a man that thrives in violence,” he said.
A former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olufemi Bamisile, has expressed dissatisfaction on the recent attacks on the Hausa community by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums.
Bamisile said it was a ploy to deliberately attack the Hausa because they mobilised and voted for the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) against Fayose’s directive to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.
Bamisile claimed that the latest round of crisis in Ekiti was a deliberately-orchestrated game to declare curfew in the state so that the embattled G-19 lawmakers of the State House of Assembly would not be able to discharge their constitutional responsibility of putting the integrity of the governor on check.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Bamisile, a chieftain of the APC said: “What if I tell you that Governor Fayose orchestrated this game just to call the dog a bad name so as to hang it?
“Authoritatively, we have intelligence report in the APC that he was informed ahead of time about the crisis and he neglected the said report. He did it deliberately to punish the Hausa because they voted for Buhari against President Jonathan.
“You will recall that he threatened fire and brimstone during his hate campaigns all through the electioneering period. He said he was going to chase away all the Hausa from Ekiti State if they voted against Goodluck Jonathan during one of his many hate speeches in Ekiti.
“He started by sending all the Watermelon sellers away before his thugs went ahead to destroy all the properties of the business-loving Hausa. He has now moved them away to the outskirts of the state in fulfilling his hate campaign promises to the community.”
Bamisile said the governor’s action of addressing the violence and arson against the Hausa was belated, therefore enabling a jungle justice environment for all the interested parties.
“Does it not sound unreasonable and fishy that the governor decided to address the violence between the Hausa and his group only after four days that the Hausa were attacked?
“Not even a Mobile Policeman (MOPOL) was deployed throughout the four days, until when the properties and businesses of the gentlemen and investors were completely set ablaze.
“My justification of this is certain that even during the governor’s dusk-to-dawn curfew; some arsonists invaded the popular Oja Oba Market and burnt down all the market stalls where the Hausa reside.
“It is a ploy to burn the Hausa while they were asleep. The question is, who must have done this successfully without a security cover? He also said he was surprised to learn that it was the APC that caused the security breach and a plan to justify his impeachment.
Bamisile concluded: “I was shocked to hear the State Chief Security Officer to say that APC caused the mayhem. Was it the APC that staged the attack on the Hausa community?
