Yoruba rights activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho, in this interview conducted in Yoruba language, clears the air on his recent visit to Ogun State to drive out killer herders, the apprehension by his wife and children, just as he denied allegations of fundraiser and the burning of Seriki Fulani of Igangan’s property
Some people have expressed the fear that your approach to the herdsmen crisis can lead to ethnic war. What do you feel about this?
Actually, there is no more fear of civil war regarding the cause that I am fighting. Those who thought that such could happen had the fear because they have hidden agenda. We are not waging any war against Fulani people. Our own fear is that our leaders are friends of the Fulani, who know the herdsmen, who are criminals in our midst. Our appeal to the Fulani is to bring the killer herders in our midst to book.
You recently went to Ogun State to drive out killer herdsmen. Was it on the invitation of the governor?
No; it was not on the invitation of the governor. We are Yoruba people in our own right, we can fight for freedom. Our fathers and brothers were killed by herders while our people die in silence. Our mothers and sisters are raped, farmlands are vandalised and crops are eaten up by their cattle. They kidnap and take big ransom. Just as the case in Igangan, our people in Ogun could not bear it any longer, so they called for help. That was what happened.
You and the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, disagreed over the quit notice you issued to Fulani herders in Igangan. But since the state is concerned just like you about insecurity, do you think you can work with the governor to achieve a common goal?
We can work in harmony with the governor inasmuch as he recognises the fact that we have the fundamental right to secure our people and to protect their interest. The problem is that those in between us and the government are the ones creating undue tension. We are sure that the governor is able to feel the pulse of the people who are feeling the heat from the killer herdsmen..."
Posted: at | |