Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, set the conditions for reopening the crisis-torn Shasha market in Ibadan, the state capital.
Makinde disclosed the conditions for reopening the market when he led some northern governors to the leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the market.
The governors include Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle; and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sanni.
Shasha market was closed down last Friday when members of the Yoruba and Hausa communities clashed in a violence that claimed the lives of some residents, resulted in destruction of property, and displacement of people in the area.
Makinde, who addressed traders in the market, said, “They (the northern governors) just finished a meeting with the Seriki of Shasha and the Baale of Shasha. As a government you trust and elected into office, please trust our judgement to watch out for you and ensure that we co-exist peacefully.
“There is nothing we can do in an atmosphere of unrest and disharmony. Those who go to Iroko to continue trading, I will lock up the place.
“When you are all ready to cooperate, you will come to me. When you have agreed that there won’t be any more bloodshed here, you will come to me and then I will reopen the market. I beg you. We won’t lose any more lives.”
Also, addressing the traders on behalf of the northern delegation, Kebbi State governor said his Oyo State counterpart had shown leadership to restore normalcy in the area.
Condemning the “spontaneous attacks”, Bagudu said, “The market has been closed down and there are many people whose livelihood are being affected. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum will also support him (Makinde) to ensure that those who have lost their livelihood are supported in this trying period.”