By Edwin Eriye
In the past few weeks, we have heard of stories of conflict in Ondo and Oyo states between herdsmen, identified as Fulani, and the Yoruba owners of indigenous communities.
The bone of contention in Ondo state which was the conversion of the state’s forest reserves into a criminal camp by herdsmen was adequately and promptly addressed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The governor issued a seven-day ultimatum to the herdsmen in the forest reserves to vacate the place, he also directed that the open grazing of cattle on main roads and within the city be outlawed, and in a final swoop he asked that all herdsmen within the state undergoes proper registration.
Akerodlu’s assertiveness and courage is indeed salutary, regardless of the fact it may have received several frowns from the Northern stakeholders.
In neighboring Oyo state, the people of the South-West faced similar situation in areas identified as IbarapaEast, Ibarapa North, Igangan and the whole of the Oke Ogun areas. However, unlike the case of Ondo, where Rotimi made his position known promptly, Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde has kept his mum on a matter this delicate.
With the reports of wanton killings and destruction by herdsmen in parts of the state, the loss of valuable lives and properties, Governor Seyi has been loudly silent as regards the yearnings of his governed.
The poor display of leadership and empathy by Governor Seyi Makinde left a vacuum in the hearts of the Oyo people, a vacuum that Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known Sunday Igboho has filled.
Sunday’s display of courage and leadership has identified and unified him with the Oyo people, as he has been readily available to secure the peoples interest.
Quickly, who is Sunday Igboho? Sunday is from Oyo state, precisely from a community known as Igboho. He grew up in the Modakeke part of Ile-Ife. He was reported involved in the intra-ethnic conflict between Ife and Modakeke in the 90s.
Over the years, he has acquired quite a reputation as a very powerful man. His Igboho admirers regard him as an ethnic patriot, a defender of the Yoruba nation, an activist and a freedom fighter.
Fast-forward back to the present, Sunday has been brave and assertive with his position on the herdsmen, giving them a seven-day ultimatum to evacuate the South-West region, an audacious move that should have come from the Governor himself.
The indications so far from this Sunday and the herdsmen saga shows that a full blown ethnic war between the Yorubas and the Fulanis is eminent. His (Sunday) house was set on fire days after he led his followers and aggrieved residents to Igangan in Ibarapaarea of Oyo state to eject the Fulani leader of Igangan, Salihu Abdukadir, accusing him (Salihu ) of harboring criminal herders.
And then the front pages of the dailies are saying Sunday is currently in Ogun to evacuate the herdsmen, the momentum for violence has been building, still without any evident resolve.
The prompt intervention of the government, both at the state and federal level is very much needed to salvage this crisis before it metamorphoses into war.
If it does turn out to be a war, it would be beyond the intervention of Sunday Igboho, as it will be matter of national interest and security, thereon making the offices of Governor Seyi Makinde and President Buhari equivocal.
Finally, Governor Seyi Makinde, please speak up while it’s still day.
