When Lam Adesina Reined in Buhari: The Day Oyo State Stood Between Ethnic Discord and National Unity
On October 13, 2000, Ibadan’s political heartbeat reached a chilling crescendo. Former military ruler General Muhammadu Buhari — leading a stoic delegation of Arewa leaders in response to alleged killings of Fulani cattle rearers — arrived at the Oyo State Government House on a mission: to demand answers. What unfolded next was not just a confrontation, but a defining moment of leadership, deft diplomacy, and a nation’s fragile unity.
The Confrontation
General Buhari, accompanied by trusted figures like General Buba Marwa, stormed into the governor’s office. Their arrival was unmistakably somber: “They all wore long faces… 'This is trouble' was the expression on the faces of all of us in the governor’s office,” recalled Lam Adesina’s former chief press secretary, Kehinde Olaosebikan . Asserting gravity, Buhari accused Governor Lam Adesina’s administration of complicity in the killing of 68 Fulani herders in the Saki area — and even alleged an unwarranted release of suspects suspected to be protected by the state .
Lam Adesina's Composed Counter
Rather than responding with fury, Lam Adesina maintained composure and invited due process — summoning the police commissioner and the state’s SSS director to dissect the claims. The police vehemently rebutted the allegations, asserting that Fulani violence against farmers had been duly reported and that arrests had indeed been made . The SSS director further clarified that the killings were exaggerated in number — possibly as few as five, not sixty-eight — and frequently stemmed from disputes over encroachment or farm damage .
Lam Adesina then brought forward local officials — including his deputy and SSG — to present their narratives, laying bare the facts from within the affected communities .
From Accusation to Appeal
It was Lam Adesina’s next move that transformed a volatile meeting into a clarion call for unity. Addressing Buhari and his delegation, he said:
> “You are national leaders of this country… by accident of birth, you are from the North… my plea is that effort must be made to unite this country. The words you northern leaders utter are very weighty… We are all Nigerians.”
He appealed to the itinerant Bororo people to reduce aggression—encroaching on farmsteads is neither religiously nor morally justifiable, he warned, and even hinted that divine judgment frowns upon such deeds .
That moment defused hostility. The generals — once brimming with anger — departed in bewilderment, never waiting for the refreshments that had been prepared .
Why This Matters
1. Leadership Rooted in Reason, Not Rhetoric
Lam Adesina prioritized calm dialogue over emotional escalation. By leveraging verified testimony and local voices, he neutralized explosive accusations and showcased the power of transparent governance.
2. Facts, Not Factionalism
Through the testimony of security chiefs and local administrators, the truth — however nuanced — prevailed over rumor and ethnically charged rumor.
3. A Timeless Lesson in National Cohesion
In an era marked by ethnic tension and the growing farmer–herder conflict, Lam Adesina’s message — unity, empathy, and mutual understanding — resonates now more than ever. “We are all Nigerians,” he declared — a simple yet powerful refrain that echoes deeply in today’s fractured political landscape.
The confrontation between General Buhari and Governor Lam Adesina on October 13, 2000, could have escalated into ethnic conflagration. Instead, thanks to Adesina’s calm leadership, reliance on facts, and a heartfelt appeal to national unity, it became a touchstone of statesmanship. This overlooked episode stands as a testament to how courage, clarity, and empathy can defuse tensions — guiding Nigeria toward cohesion. In remembering that day, we unearth not merely a flashpoint, but a roadmap for inclusive, peace-driven leadership.
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