On Sunday, certain Yoruba communities in Lagos State’s Amuwo Odofin Local Government met with non-indigenous people to settle concerns that would promote peaceful coexistence.
The Landlords and Residents Association of Soba Town (LARAS), in conjunction with locals from Abule Ado, Oteyi, and Itogba, planned the event.
A Call for Peace Summit between the Abule, Soba, Oteyi, and Itogba Communities was the name given to the event.
There were several disputes between various organizations during the most recent presidential and gubernatorial elections, conducted on February 25 and March 18, respectively.
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One of these disagreements resulted in a collapse of law and order in one of the four villages, which caused injuries, property damage, and the loss of one person.
The tension was caused by citizens’ varying political allegiances and the bogus news that swept the state during the elections, according to a joint statement released by the villages following the conference.
“Hoodlums from outside the communities exploited the breakdown of order by displaying firearms, robbing individuals of their goods, and causing mayhem.
Such tragic acts with political motivation have never been seen in the communities.
“Contrary to what the spreaders of fake news have said, there was no conflict between natives and residents at that time or between ethnic groupings.
It said that “all the residents have coexisted peacefully for many years without any incidents of hatred or bitterness.”
The communities decided that in the future, neither politics nor social affinities would pit them against one another.
They warned political scuttlebutt and troublemakers who wanted to sow discord to keep away from their neighborhoods.
“We have vowed to collectively resist and legally fight any person or group of persons whose intention is to breach our collective peace and orderliness,” they said.
They asked locals to conduct their affairs quietly, especially during election season.
They also cautioned locals against believing false information since it might have disastrous results.
Olanrewaju Wahab, the Oteyi traditional ruler, warned the locals against taking action without first receiving advice from the authorities.
Ngozi Emechebe, President of the Auto Spare Parts and Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), expressed regret that a little dispute had been exacerbated to sour the communities’ harmonious cohabitation.
Mr. Emechebe, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years, advised the people there to develop interdependence and become peacemakers.
He further asked the community leaders to host more forums where other concerns affecting the communities might be discussed.
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