The Hausa Community in Ekiti State has described as untrue the claim that the state Governor, Ayo Fayose, is crippling their businesses for not voting for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election.
Speaking on behalf of the Hausa community in a statement, their leaders – Alhaji Musa Kanga, and Secretary, Alhaji Babangida Umar – warned those peddling such rumour to desist from it.
They said ascribing banning of indiscriminate display of wares, particularly on highways, by the government to mean hatred for the Hausa community was unfair.
The body such such rumour was capable of creating friction between the government and the Arewa people, who they claimed have co-existed in the most mutual manner since Fayose came on board last year.
The body was reacting to the rumour making the rounds that the banning of products from being displayed on Fajuyi-Adebayo-Opopogbooro Road, a route dominated by Hausa traders, by the state government, was a vendetta against the Hausa for voting for General Muhammadu Buhari during the poll.
The body said: “Anybody, irrespective of tribe or state of origin contravening environmental law should be sanctioned according to the law.
“That the government decided to act to prevent violation of the law, such should not be linked to politics or be perceived to translate to a clampdown on Hausas for not voting President Jonathan during the presidential poll.
“Election has come and gone and the governor must be allowed peace of mind to govern the state properly.”
The Hausa community promised unalloyed support for and unhindered collaboration with the state government in all facets to fast track development in the state regardless of the rumour being peddled around to strain the smooth relationship.
The statement added: “Fayose is very close to Hausa people and has always handled any issue relating to our wellbeing with special care and interest. He has been supportive.
“The rumour of the governor disturbing us or preventing us from selling our wares is in the imaginations of those peddling the rumour for their personal reasons, as nobody from the government has been disturbing us.
“We are all aware of the efforts being made to keep Ekiti clean and Hausas as stakeholders, will continue to support the government in this regard.
“The efforts of government to drive away those displaying wares opposite Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti started with ex-governor Kayode Fayemi-led government and we assured him then that such would cease to happen and this should not be taken now as victimization of our members.”
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