Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities of Oyo State, the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has ordered the immediate reopening of Shasha market.

The Governor gave the order after meeting with the warring parties in Shasha at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.

He disclosed that “Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Sasa market. They will bring bulldozer to the market today.”

 “When my brother Governors visited Seriki Sasa palace, while we were working around, I realised that both the people I saw at Seriki’s place and those I net at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job.”

“If you look at Oyo State, even when the COVID-19 was at its peak, I decided not to shut our market places because I know and also explained to the leadership of the country at the national level that in our state, we have people that the proceeds from what they get today will determine if they will eat tomorrow or not.”

“Since peace more or less returned to the market and the community, we have given the go-ahead that the market should be repealed.”

 “I have also given instructions for some palliative works to be done. I have instructed that solar light be installed in the market any time of the day or night, we will see what is going on in the market.”

 “The situation in our environment, economic activities are really very germane and basic. We have people out there, what they will make today, is what will determine whether they will eat tomorrow or not. And when you shut the place down, and people get hungry and again angry, then you precipitate another set of issues. So closing the market for an extended period of time, is actually not sustainable.”

The Governor further stated that “The Iroko market will remain shut. From what we heard, the promoters of that market were actually part of the people causing confusion and causing a problem at the Shasha market. We will take a long term view of the Iroko market, but in the meantime, it remains shut.”

Makinde added that the curfew imposed on the market would still be in place till the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ngozi Onadeko, assures him of peace has returned to the community.

 “You can see the CP and the DIG, they are the ones maintaining the curfew. And if they tell me peace has returned to the community, the curfew will also be lifted. But security agencies will still dominate the area,” he said.  

The Deputy Inspector- General Police, (in charge of Southwest), DIG David Falawiyo who was in the meeting with the state Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, noted that the police would continue to maintain surveillance and presence in the market while ensuring that peace and tranquillity prevail.

 The Baale of Shasha, Akinade-Ajani and the Seriki of Shasha, Haruna Maiyasin, had in their separate remarks, apologised on behalf of the traders and warring parties on the crisis that occurred at the market, and had promised to ensure peaceful coexistence and brotherliness in the Shasha market.