OYO MARKETS LEADERSHIP CRISIS: Group Kicks Against Imposition, Promises To Defend Constitution

Shortly after the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa released a statement in which he confirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji’s installation of Alhaji Y.K. Abass as Babaloja of Oyo State, a group, Coalition of Traders in Oyo State has kicked against what they called imposition and promised to defend their association’s constitution.

In a letter signed by three members of the coalition, Comrade Ajala, Comrade Abu Abioye and Comrade (Mrs.) Oyewo, and made available to journalists on Tuesday evening, the group condemned the decision of some individuals to cause crisis in the association.

“It is an embarrassment and very disgraceful that some individuals could nursed idea of imposing a leader on over two million market men and women in the state at the period when everyone is praying God to completely drive Covid-19 away from Oyo State to enable normalcy returns and end the suffering of our dear people.”

The group went further to list their submission as follows:

“That over two million market men and women from the 33 Local Government Councils in Oyo State agreed and nominated the Chairman of Babaloja and Iyaloja of Bodija Market, Ibadan, who is also the Chairman of Babaloja and Iyaloja of 11 Local Government Councils in Oyo State, Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh as Babaloja Of Oyo State.

“That at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan where Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh was elected as Babaloja of Oyo State all zones have their Iyalojas and Babalojas in attendance, including Okeogun, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, others are 4 zones from Oyo Town.

“That the process that produced Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh as the Babaloja of Oyo State followed due process and was conducted in line with the constitution of our association. This was the reason why their wasn’t any objection or rancour throughout the process.

“It is pertinent to also state here that our association is like every other associations or unions registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Just like no one can singlehandedly impose leader on any of there, NMA, NBA, NFF, NSE, NLC, TUC, it would be very impossible for any one to impose a leader on our association. We have constitution and it must be adhered to, to avoid crisis.

“We know and believe the state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde is a lover of peace and a respecter of rule of law. He would not want to go against the rule of law which he has also benefited from when governorship election that produced him was challenged in the court of law. Neither would the governor be interested in any issue capable of truncating the peace currently enjoy by the good people of Oyo State.

“We also know Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, as a defender of his subjects, promoter of people, who always stand against injustice, especially of this nature; which is similar to what late Senator Abiola Ajimobi was trying to carry out when he embarked on illegal restructuring of Ibadan Obaship Titles. It is on record that Kabiyesi resisted this evil agenda.

“To also buttress our assurance on Kabiyesi’s zero tolerance for injustice. His Majesty has once sent us a letter on similar issue, the letter was on Kabiyesi’s letterhead paper and signed by Adeola Oloko on 16th July, 2020. It reads, ” Kabiyesi Olubadan asked me to inform you that as a matter of principle, he does not interfere in the internal affairs of traders.” Definitely, there are some selfish individuals currently misleading His Majesty.

The Coalition reaffirmed its stand on who is the authentic Babaloja of Oyo State by making a statement that, “Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh who was duly and constitutionally elected as Babaloja of Oyo State remain as Babaloja of Oyo State and has legal right to continue functioning in the same capacity till his tenure ends, with option to seek re-election for the 2nd term,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Coalition warned anyone parading himself as Babaloja of Oyo State to desist from the act. “We hereby warn who ever is parading himself as Babaloja to stop doing so immediately because we won’t compromise our stand on the choice of Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh as Babaloja of Oyo State. We are ready to defend the mandate of over two million people without fear of intimidation or arrassment.

“As law abiding citizens we hereby appeal to the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner of Police, Heads of other security agencies, the traditional rulers, religious leaders, leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Congress and personalities in the society to as a matter of necessity intervene to prevent looming crisis and possible break down of laws and order,” the group appealed.