Scores of Hausa/Fulani youths stormed the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Tuesday, expressing concern about the ethnic dimension the farmers/herdsmen clash has taken.
They told the monarch that they were born and brought up in Ibadan, stressing that the city is their home and they have nowhere to go.
Oba Adetunji revealed this in a chat with the team of a newspaper printed in Yoruba language, Gbelegbo, who went to officially present the newspaper to him at his palace yesterday.
The traditional ruler recalled that the youth, about 200, said any time they have reason to travel to their states of origin in the North, their families and relations always ask them when they plan to return to Ibadan, which they call their home.
Oba Adetunji said this while explaining that Ibadan is home to virtually all ethnic groups in Nigeria, and that the city has witnessed tremendous development in his five-year tenure.
The monarch will be five years on the throne today (Thursday).
He said the youth of northern origin insisted that Ibadan is their home, and that all they seek is the peace and prosperity of the city. They urged the monarch to appeal to those promoting ethnic crisis to desist, because they are all Ibadan.
The crisis at Shasha market in Ibadan last month almost degenerated into ethnic clash because a large part of the population of market men and women are of northern origin. Shasha market is the final destination for many foodstuff dealers from the North. The Olubadan decried ethnic computation to crimes, saying Ibadan is home to all and sundry as long as they shun criminality.
