Yoruba Stakeholders Resolve To End Fulani Herders’ Attack

Monarchs, traditional worshippers, clergymen and technocrats from the South-West, yesterday, converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and resolved to stop attacks by Fulani herders as soon as possible.

The stakeholders, who spoke with one voice at the emergency Yoruba International Summit organized by the Yoruba World Assembly (YWA), led by Dr. Taiye Ayorinde (Chairman, Governing Council), said that enough was enough for Fulani’s kidnapping, raping, maiming and killing of innocent Yoruba farmers and residents.

The summit, with the theme:-
“Tackling the menace of human insecurity and food insecurity in Yorubaland,” was held at the Western Hall, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.

In attendance were the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, who was represented by Prof. Nelson Fasina; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, who was also represented by Abraham Rotimi; Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), who was represented by Revd. (Dr.) Yinka Adepoju; Dr. Victor Taiwo (Chief Convener and Secretary-General of the YWA); Revd (Dr.) Eyitayo Samuel (Oyo State CAN 1st Vice-Chairman); Imam Adediran Wahab, among others.

While they lamented the manner many Yoruba sons and daughters had been killed allegedly by Fulani herdsmen with impunity, the stakeholders identified traditional rulers, community, religious and political leaders, and the rich in the society, as problems of Yoruba, saying that many of them had abdicated their roles of protecting their subjects.

They said it was high time they all rise up to fight for Yoruba’s emancipation.

Besides, the stakeholders apologised to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on behalf of Chief Sunday Adeyemo (a.k.a. Sunday Igboho), who threatened to attack him and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to tell President Muhammadu Buhari the truth about Yoruba people’s discomfort with the Fulani they nevertheless, commended him and pledged their support for fighting the course of freedom of the Yorubaland.

The monarchs in attendance separately supported calls for the emancipation of Yoruba from the Fulani herdsmen, arguing that Governors Seyi Makinde and Dapo Abiodun of Oyo and Ogun states were right in following the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution with regard to Fulani eviction, but said that the people should not allow visitors from other tribes to take over their land.