THE IFE/HAUSA CLASH IN PERSPECTIVES
By Tobi Sidharta and
Kunle Wizeman Ajayi
It was
disheartening to see pictures flying around on social media of gruesome killing
of such in this present time 21st century. But the crisis is primarily borne out
of high illiteracy, idleness couple with historical crosswise. War-torn Ile-Ife
since its inter-communal war with Modakeke that lasted for about 5 years from
1997 has not gotten out of the brutal and backward consequences of war. More
unemployment and massive poverty has been predominant in Ile-Ife and Modakeke.
So, despite the end of the earlier war, all the gunpowders of another of war
economically, socially and politically are still in the high!
Wars within the
context of this system of “greed and power” are usually intra-class caused that
blossomed into full blown thereby dragging the oppressed class into its
brutality using various propaganda and ideological pushes. Nationalism is
usually appealing in the times of war. You see working people calling towns;
cities; and countries- “our own” whereas only the ruling class can lay claim to
these in the real sense.
The Sabo Area where
the recent blood-letting occurred has been a peaceful area that has a great
night life even during the Ife/Modakeke war. The Notherners living there speak
Yoruba so fluently and has lived like Yorubas. This was recently justified by
Ooni Ogunwusi who said he personally knows most of the inhabitants of Sabo.
Working people must
learn to avoid crisis within us as this will help in putting us in more
divisions that would in turn allow the ruling class to oppress us the more.
That maxim is quite right that “united we fight, divided we fall!”
But the poverty so
far, climaxing in the hard biting of the current economic recession caused by
the ruling class has gingered the anger individually and collectively within
the masses. Aside Ile-Ife, there has also been repeated clashes in Akure, and
the progrom in Southern Kaduna.
We must therefore
never resort to lamentation nor mockery. Nor must we side by any of the warring
ethnic groupings but show a good understanding; picking out few lessons for us
as a class.
The ILE-Ife crisis is a clarion call on us all to start battling with government across all tiers to rise against the increasing level of unemployment. It is really a gun powder which has grievous disasters it carries as the time ticks on..
We must also start building last solidarity which will allow Tolerance to be the order of the day as family, religious bodies, associations and groups should starting building back our core values around tolerance ; solidarity; social justice and eternal truths.
The ILE-Ife crisis is a clarion call on us all to start battling with government across all tiers to rise against the increasing level of unemployment. It is really a gun powder which has grievous disasters it carries as the time ticks on..
We must also start building last solidarity which will allow Tolerance to be the order of the day as family, religious bodies, associations and groups should starting building back our core values around tolerance ; solidarity; social justice and eternal truths.
Conflict should never be a way to settle disagreements as many lives were lost over a lifeless petty issue... It’s time for us to reason along development rather than being retrogressive. Dialogue still remains the best way to resolve issues especially amidst we the masses no matter how megacosm here appear.
Furthermore, we must state it unequivocally that the current recession which is leading to depression enhanced the crisis as people vented their anger on petty issues. This is a more pressing issue that should put our government on their toes and take them up in a class-based struggle. The mass campaign for mass employment is such struggle with which we can further this idea.
Finally, nothing under this human-diminishing system is worth killing or blood shedding, irrespective of the economy hardship; recession or even depression. Effort and energies should be channelled towards fighting for a better country for a better living condition and sharing unconditional; non-ethnic; and global solidarity with one another. We have only two people in this country and the entire world- THE POOR AND THE RICH. Such internal wars as is seen in Ile-Ife or even inter-country wars as is in Syria only pay the rich and their armament race
We the working
people must always pursue peace amidst us so that our unity against the common
oppressor would remain unshaken. Let us ensure proper justice to resolve issues
and not on crisis and jungle justices. Love must be the global message.
Let's build a generation
that secures it future
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Mar 14 at 4:44 PM