The Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed opposition politicians for the violence that greeted the relocation of butchers in Ibadan last week.
The party in a statement by its spokesperson, Abdulazeez Olatunde, alleged that members of the opposition instigated a splinter butchers group to resist efforts of the state government to relocate them to Amosun village, Akinyele local government area of the state, Nigerian Tribune reports.
Olatunde said the resistance was unnecessary as the unhealthy environment of the Bodija abattoir necessitated the government action.
“We will like to remind the public that the Butchers union and Oyo State Government entered into one year notice of winding-down from Bodija Abattoir in June 2014,” the statement read in part.
“The Butchers union and the Government agreed to the commencement of operation in Amosun Village in June 2018, after several postponements since 2015.
“However, we are not unaware that some failed politicians have formed a splinter Butchers group to frustrate the ease of movement from Bodija to Amosun Village because of the landmark achievement this project constitute.
“Furthermore, it is also instructive to inform the public that, it’s only slaughtering of cows that was relocated from Bodija Abattoir to Amosun Village, Sales of meat still remain in Bodija kiosks and stalls.”