#EKITI : Fayemi condemns kidnappings, #drivers, #traders #clash

Former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday condemned kidnappings and the crisis between drivers and Hausa traders in Ado Ekiti.

                      

Fayemi, who spoke at the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, in company with some former members of his cabinet, commiserated with the traditonal ruler over the crisis, which had led to destruction of property worth several millions of Naira.

He also visited the Hausa community at the neutral ground called Shasha, along the Ado-Ekiti-Ikere Ekiti road, where they had been relocated to as the fight escalated.

According to the ex-governor, the unfortunate incidents of kidnappings and violence have started affecting the economic life of the state.

Fayemi said, “Some of my colleagues and friends would have accompanied me to Ekiti but many of them declined the invitation as a result of the spate of violence and kidnappings.

“I don’t think Ekiti deserves this negative label which is why I am calling on well meaning indigenes of this state join hands with those who are willing to return peace to the state.”

The former governor decried how the relationship between indigenes and settlers suddenly degenerated to the level where they destroyed each others property.

In his response, Oba Adejugbe thanked the ex- governor for the visit, urging him not to relent in his efforts to ensure that the peace reigned in the state.

The monarch hinted that a committee, comprising major stakeholders, had been raised to ascertain the extent of damage during the clash.

He explained that many of the victims of the clash had been seeking financial assistance as many of them took loan to set up their business, which had been consumed by fire.