Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday, visited the Shasha area of Ibadan, Oyo State, and appealed to the warring parties to embrace peace and dialogue.
The violent clash between Hausa and Yoruba communities on Friday had reportedly led to the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.
Akeredolu was in Oyo in his capacity as the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum.
The Ondo State governor, who was led to the Shasha market by his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, pleaded with elders in the area to call the youths to order as efforts were being intensified by government to find lasting solution to the avoidable violence which occurred last Friday.
In a statement by Olabode Olatunde, the Special Assistant to the Ondo State governor on New Media, Akeredolu noted that the tension and charged atmosphere would not profit anyone.
He also asked the people to consider the past and the peaceful coexistence that they have enjoyed over several decades.
Akeredolu was quoted as saying, “We have come to plead with you that no matter how angry, we should not react violently. I know many things may get us angry, but as we know, we have been living together for long.
“Let us think about the past, let us consider our peaceful coexistence in the past. Let us be calm.
“I have come on behalf of all southwest Governors, I beg you to be calm.
“Let us not take laws into our hands. The police are here and they are ready to work now. Amotekun officers are here for you. I’m not saying that for us as Governors that we are perfect or the police are perfect. But we can’t take laws into our hands. Let us cooperate with our Governor, Seyi Makinde.”