Banditry: ‘Let’s sink our differences,’ Ogbomoso Progressive Association charges Ogbomoso traditional rulers, indigenes

Banditry: ‘Let’s sink our differences,’ Ogbomoso Progressive Association charges Ogbomoso traditional rulers, indigenes

Khalid ABRAHAM

The Ogbomoso Progressive Association Home and Diaspora (OPAHA), has urged traditional rulers and the people of Ogbomoso zone to bury their differences and move ahead in unity.

This was the outcome of a virtual meeting held Sunday evening by members of the group, contained in a press statement signed by its global patron and president, Alhaji Abdulmajeed Oladimeji Solademi and Mr. Taiwo Oyedotun Ibrahim respectively, and made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com.

The group expressed displeasure at the prevailing lack of unity among some prominent Obas and people in Ogbomoso zone noting such will make it easier for enemies to overwhelm the zone. It observed that if everyone is in one accord, the door will not be opened for outsiders to harass us, emphasizing unity of purpose and cooperation.

“We are deeply concerned about the depreciating security situation in Ogbomoso zone exemplified by the Ahoro-Esinele/Yawota abduction on may 15. We have spoken on this previously, so, we won’t dwell on that much again except to continue to pray for the safe return of the victims.

“We are of the view that if as a people we are united, enemies won’t be able to easily penetrate and attack us. Ogbomoso is losing a lot by the lack of unity especially among the traditional rulers. This has happened; we need to work together and be in alignment with one another henceforth, in order to thwart future dangers. Imagine our Obas collaborating presently, they could have proffered solutions to ending the present quagmire at the Old Oyo National Park, where bandits are holding our beloved children and teachers captive, for over twenty days.

“We plead with everyone, the rich, the poor, the royals, the non-royals, the chiefs, the non-chiefs and all to sink our differences, dwell on areas of similarities and promote mutual understanding. Everyone needs to concede for proper harmonization to take place. We need to cooperate focusing on positive things, that is the way Ogbomoso can throw off the yoke of banditry about to strangulate us. Our forefathers united in the nineteenth century to nip the enemies’ incursions in the bud and so, were able to preserve the territorial integrity of Ogbomosoland. We need to toe the same path.”

The group similarly called on religious leaders and their members to work in harmony for the security and growth of Ogbomosoland. ‘We also urge politicians to play the game according to the rules. They should eschew inciting people, let’s make Ogbomoso’s greatness paramount. We should always seek its progress and preservation. We don’t want crisis, enough is enough. Religious leaders as well should be mindful of their utterances be it traditionalists, Islamic or Christian leaders.”