Ile-Ife Crisis: Ex-Aregbesola’s Commissioner, Sikiru Ayedun Blames Social Media Machinists on Clash Escalation

Hon Sikiru Ayedun

A former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in Osun State, Hon Sikiru Ayedun has described the role being played by the social media handlers in the recent clash between the Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ile-Ife as worrisome, saying the crisis was not as terrible as being painted on social media.

Ayedun who stated this while addressing journalists in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, said the fracas if it had not been embellished by social media machinists, it wouldn’t have gotten to that stage.

He urged the social media people on the need to always conduct themselves on issues and avoid sentiments, saying there are some sensitive matters that have to be handling with care.

According to him, “I am appealing to people on social media that, they should try as much as possible to always conduct themselves in a way that will give peace to entire world. They should endeavour in engaging in things capable of promoting peace and harmony across the globe”.

Expressing satisfaction over the conduct of the security operatives during the period of the crisis, the Ife born politician lauded quick response received from the officers and men of the security agencies in the state.

Confirming the restoration of peace to the ancient town, Ayedun attributed the success to the quick intervention of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

“I will give kudos to the security agencies for their quick intervention on the issue even though, we are not perfect, perfection belongs to God but I will still say that they tried their possible best to ensure that the normalcy is restored back to the town.

“I must also commend our Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his quick intervention and directive right from Tuesday March 7, when the minor disagreement happened up till when it has degenerated on Wednesday 8″, he stressed.

He, therefore, appealed to both Hausa and Yoruba communities fighting in the town to shield their sword and live together as brothers.

Speaking on the state of the nation, the former commissioner said despite the current hardship occasioned by the dwindling in nation’s economy, Nigerians still believe in present administration in its bid to transform the country to the greater heights.

He described APC led administration under the leadership of President Mohammodu Buhari as government of people that believed in the well being of its citizenry, saying the government of the day is putting an end to the era of impunity and recklessness.

“You heard what President Buhari said when he came back from US. He said despite the hardship Nigerians are going through, they still believed in his government.

“you can all see that the government of the day is trying to put an end to era of impunity, era of recklessness, and we know that this administration meant well for Nigeria if not for economic meltdown which is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.

“We are mono economic nation depending only on oil and whenever the price of crashes, it affects the economy”, Ayedun added.

Commending Governor Aregbesola for setting pace on the diversification of the economy, Ayedun said the present administration had laid good legacy in resuscitating non-oil sectors.

He canvassed for mass participation in agriculture, adding that the state of the nation’s economy has informed every government on the need to key into agricultural and tourism sectors as viable and alternative means for quick economic recovery.