Makinde Gives Conditions To Reopen Shasha Market

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, listed conditions to reopen the crisis-torn Shasha market in Ibadan, the state capital.

Makinde made this known when he led some northern governors to the leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the market today.

The governors are Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle; and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sanni.

The Shasha market has been shut since last Friday when Yoruba and Hausa communities clashed reportedly resulting in the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

Addressing the market men and women, Makinde said, “They (the northern governors) just finished a meeting with the Seriki of Shasha and the Baale of Shasha. As a government you trust and elected into office, please trust our judgement to watch out for you and ensure that we co-exist peacefully.

“There is nothing we can do in an atmosphere of unrest and disharmony. Those who go to Iroko to continue trading, I will lock up the place.

“When you are all ready to cooperate, you will come to me. When you have agreed that there won’t be any more bloodshed here, you will come to me and then I will reopen the market. I beg you. We won’t lose any more lives.”

Also, addressing the traders on behalf of the northern delegation, Kebbi State governor said his Oyo State counterpart has shown leadership to restore normalcy in the area.

Bagudu, who condemned the “spontaneous attacks”, said, “The market has been closed down and there are many people whose livelihood are being affected. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum will also support him (Makinde) to ensure that those who have lost their livelihood are supported in this trying period.”