The newly appointed Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Constituency Matters (Governor’s Liaison Officer) for Oyo Federal Constituency, Hon. Akin Alawode, has passionately appealed to both Awe and Oyo Communities to sheathe their swords and embrace peace for meaningful resolutions of the impasse between them so as to allow for peace, development and harmonious relationship.
He said that the two communities have been co – existing for centuries and consequently, should be able to resolve whatever their differences amicably and by lawful means.
Akin Alawode, in a statement released, admired and praised the quick interventions of the Executive Chairmen of Oyo East Local Government (Hon. Saheed Arowosaiye), Atiba Local Government (Hon. Kafilat Olakojo), and Hon. Sunday Ojo (Afijio Local Government) by rising to the occasion in the nick of time. Their immediate actions of talking to and visiting all the Stakeholders/elders of the two communities, and eventual tours of the affected village communities were all that was needed to nip the crisis in the bud.
He therefore appealed to the two warring communities to take advantage of the noble actions of the trio to find lasting solutions, through peaceful/lawful means, to the age – long crisis that has been lingering.
He reminded the two communities that communal crisis is a whirlwind that blows no good to either the victor or the vanquished, especially “to start engaging in this kind of crisis is not the best way to appreciate the efforts of the present Administration of Governor Seyi Makinde at providing good governance to the people of Oyo Federal Constituency. Rather, this is the time we should be more united and peaceful to join forces together to ensure peace, harmony and meaningful development for Oyo Federal Constituency.
He admonished those behind the scene that are fanning embers of disunity and acrimony in the two communities to desist from such retrogressive and destructive act. “What we need in Oyo Federal Constituency is peace, not war. What we need is peaceful co – habitation and good neighbourliness, not perpetual fear and suspicion.”
He concluded by praising the affected communities for not taking the laws into their hands in the face of the crisis, and equally appreciated the efforts of all the security agencies for maintaining law and order. He assured that the Administration of Governor Seyi Makinde will leave no stone unturned at ensuring security of lives and properties, peace, love and meaningful development in Oyo State.
It will be recalled that on Friday, 9th January 2024. Awe community pulled down some buildings belonging to Oyos in three villages to effect a court order that had been earlier served on over two hundred villages being occupied by Oyos. This almost caused communal war but normalcy has since returned as the two communities are currently finding solutions to the land imbroglio, according to reports.
