The desire for security may be universal, but what people mean by it is very particular. For the people of Ibadan, it’s to live without hardened criminals who now prowl the city day and night with confidence, and aplomb, robbing, terrorizing, extorting and killing with mirthful abandon. But for those beyond the shore of the state capital, say the Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho and Oyo, it is to live peacefully with herders and pastoralists who now pose imminent existential threats to their lives and livelihood.
These two simmering scenarios portend danger of great magnitude to the economic activities in the state and the peaceful coexistence people of different ethnic extractions have enjoyed in the years past. With Government glaringly lacking in proper words and actions, the end to people’s fear and right to peaceful living continue to go down south. Which essentially inspired the likes of Mr. Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho to exploits this vacuum with that audacious seven days ultimatum. Indeed, that riling quit notice which surprisingly was backed with crowd pulling action is a textbook example of Government’s failure and its inability to connect with people’s fear and douse their Insecurity tension with hope and assurance of a proactive and adaptive plans.
“Wither the Pendulum”
This embarrassing pendulum continue to swing back and forth while lending credence to the cries and hues, the plights and pains of harmless people against acclaimed herders who now killed with such atrocious effrontery and a surging rage of passive tolerance which the state government has championed over the past couples of months.
Tellingly, that ultimatum, though out of place, dangerous, illegitimate, and unconstitutional has rekindled people’s hope and confidence that their own can send chill down the spines of perceived enemies after Government’s unimpressive initiative failed at securing and protecting lives when it matter.
“Against the Rule of Play”
The storming of Igangan in Ibarapa axis of Oyo state as promised by Chief Sunday Igboho against warnings from both Government and the police command is a clear breach of rule of play. Such condemnable action with the prospect of escalation shouldn’t have take place ab initio. Indeed, that flagrant violation of the state resolve and security operatives inability to nip such dangerous entry in the bud tells more about the state’s readiness in stemming future tide capable of ruffling citizens feathers while breaching fleeting peace.
“Rising Above Fear”
Now, others are inspired to model their activism after Igboho’s action: fire salvo, blow hot and walk audaciously to the forest of impossible with firm conviction that nothing of note will happen. This gesture has also galvanized people’s pessimism that after all, Government at National and sub National levels care less and are indifferent and insensitive to lives and properties of law abiding citizens of the country. This point, with heartbreaking happenings across the country especially in the North paint a bleak picture: the state is failing, spiraling downward in securing lives and properties.
“Trust, breached”
The event of this week has drained Governor Seyi Makinde’s political capital. His populist agenda has crater while his foot soldiers gasp across media landscape. Rather than side with the people by assuaging their feelings, the Governor seems more interested in maintaining the status quo citing Constitution than pushing for a breathtaking position that will put criminals on toes. Yes, suing for calmness and reminding people of what says the law are right thing to forestall total break down of order but now with uptick in killings and maiming and raping by criminals masquerading as herders, people are tired of being rhetorically told to calm down when faced with violent, cruel and tragic death on their own soil.
“Here comes the Messiah”
“Mr. Sunday Igboho’s bold action is heroic against Fulani onslaught” an Igangan resident declared, “he has proved to be genuinely interested in championing people’s course, welfare, protection and security than the Governor may like to admit”. Others also lend support, calling it the height of bravery by any Yoruba leader. But others say that action is salaciously dangerous and should be discouraged. These two positions show opinions molders across the region differ in possible approach aim at ending this menace.
“On the Hotbed”
The stake is high again for Governor Seyi Makinde to demonstrate leadership when it matter most. The era of gentleman approach to existential issues is over. People now sleep on the hotbed of insecurity, now is for the Governor to lead frontally and show the world stuffs of boldness and bravery that won him election.
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
