Tension as Fayose lands in ‘HOT SOUP'

At the wake of the statement recently credited to the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, top members of the Fulani herdsmen have summoned the Governor before the Council of Traditional Rulers.

A highly placed  member of the ethnic group, name withheld, who stated this to ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, May 6, in  Ado-Ekiti, disclosed that they received Fayose’s statement with shock.

He added, that the group has lodged a formal complaint to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, because of the dangers inherent in Fayose’s comment.

The governor had on Tuesday, May 3, during the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Ibadan the Oyo state capital, said he had instructed his people to poison water with a particular brand of chemical used against fungal attack, in the event of any herdsmen attack in Ekiti.

Fayose, who spoke against the backdrop of herdsmen attacks in Benue and Enugu States, had stated that the time had come for Nigerians to defend themselves in the face of unwarranted attacks and killings by suspected herdsmen across the country.

While speaking, the Fulani herdsmen said their members would also meet with the state traditional council, particularly its Chairman and Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Oladapo Samuel Oyebade, after their encounter with the Ado monarch.

The source, who did not want to be quoted because of the sensitivity of the issue and for not being authorized to speak on behalf of the Fulani herdsmen, said the statement credited to the governor could spark a crisis between them and the farmers, even when such is unwarranted.

He said members are now living in palpable fear, because anything could happen to them and their herds since the governor has said he had issued directives to the people to poison their water, if they notice any untoward attitude from the Fulani herdsmen.

“What many people don’t know is that there is a difference between Fulani and Bororo. We have been in Ado for long doing our businesses and I don’t think any of us could resort to killing of our hosts, what for?”