Nigeria President Silent Over Clash In Southwest Nigeria

While Nigerians on social media have condemned the recent conflict between some Yorubas and some Hausa community inhabitants in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, the Nigerian  President, Muhammadu Buhari is yet to speak on the matter.

HumAngle reported how the clash had first erupted on Thursday at Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, following a heated argument between a pregnant Yoruba woman and a Hausa porter over waste disposal.

The fight led to a violent clash between the Yorubas and the Hausas in the Shasha community after a cobbler named Shakirudeen Adéọlá, reportedly died from a hit by the porter while trying to broker peace between the woman and the porter.

The clash has resulted in the death of an unconfirmed number of persons, and the destruction of houses and shops in the community.

Different groups and individuals have condemned the incident, calling for calm and peaceful co-existence in the state.

Shehu Sani, a former Nigerian senator representing Kaduna Central,  on his Twitter handle, @ShehuSani, tweeted: “The attacks on the Hausa community in Oyo State is unreservedly condemned.

“The Government of Oyo State must ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. Security forces must protect those targeted.The victims must be compensated. We must resist the anarchists among us.”

Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist, said on Twitter, “reprisal killing of members of another ethnic group will NEVER even atone for the previous killing of your kinsmen. You’re only punishing innocent men for the sins of others.”

A statement signed by  Rotimi Akeredolu, the Southwest Governors Forum’s chairman and Governor of Ondo State, described the incident as an “unfortunate and avoidable orgy of violence”.

A global human rights group, Amnesty International, has called for an investigation into the matter.

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to protect the lives and properties of every person in Nigeria wherever they reside. The government must take urgent steps to stop the escalation of violence,” Amnesty International said in a statement on Sunday.

Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, had on Saturday imposed a curfew and ordered the market’s closure indefinitely to forestall the violence’s escalation.

Buhari Keeps Mum

Two days after the conflict, the presidency is yet to make any comment.

Many fear a replay of history. Since gaining independence in 1960, ethnic conflict and religious antagonism have often been the bane of Nigeria as a single entity.

Years of tribal wars have often strained inter-ethnic cooperation and development in Africa’s biggest economy with successive governments promising unity.

When Buhari first took office six years ago, he made promises to improve security and unify Nigerians. But many believe not much has been achieved ever since.

In the wake of the new crisis, many are calling for the President to address the nation to bring calm.

A Twitter influencer Gimba Kakanda urged the President to “talk to your country, @MBuhari. This silence is not it, big man.”

Human Rights activist Aisha Yesufu asked, “Has Buhari spoken to the Nation about the killings in Oyo State?”

Buhari has often faced criticism for staying silent whenever the West African country is going through a dark moment.

When chaos broke out in Lagos following the Oct.20, 2020 shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, the president came under fire for “choosing to stay silent” over the matter despite addressing the people five days later.

Efforts to get Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesperson to make comments on why Buhari has not addressed Nigerians were not successful as he rejected calls made by HumAngle’s reporter and neither was our text message replied.