The Ogun state government says it did not solicit the help of Sunday Adeyemo, youth leader also known as Sunday Igboho, to tackle insecurity in the state.
Weeks after issuing a quit notice to herdsmen in Oyo, Igboho arrived in Ogun on Monday to “flush out” killer herders from the state.
“We are here in solidarity with our brothers and sisters. We are being killed by Fulani herders in various states and that’s why we, the youths, came out to demand our rights,” Igboho had said.
“That is why I am saying all Fulani herdsmen should vacate Yorubaland. There is peace now in Igangan and that’s not the only place I want peace to reign. We are going to all Yorubaland. I appreciate the Ogun governor; he loves his people and that’s why we are in Ogun state today.”
But Abdulwaheed Odusile, the state commissioner for information and strategy, said in a statement Igboho was not in Ogun on the invitation of the state government.
Odusile said the comment by Remmy Hazzan, special adviser on public communication to Abiodun, which hinted that Igboho would visit Ogun was quoted out of context.
“The interview was twisted to achieve sensational effects. In the interview, Hazzan had said that the state government, in its usual inclusive approach to governance, would continue to work with all the stakeholders, both within and outside the state to ensure security of lives and property,” Odusile wrote.
“Sadly, however, this statement was disingenuously twisted to mean that the state had invited Mr. Adeyemo to help curb insecurity. This is regrettable and totally misleading.
“The Dapo Abiodun-led administration, since inception, has been known to be inclusive in its approach, collaborating and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including security issues.
“This has resulted in the achievement of the enviable status and recognition we enjoy as the most secured state in the country.”