Key stakeholders and members of the Traders Association of Oyo state met at Oroki, area of Oyo town on Tuseday to declare their endorsement for Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as the Iyaloja general of Oyo state.
The endorsement was an enlarged meeting of the traders associations amidst warm reception of Alhaja Sarah Aduke Konibaje.
In a press interview with Naijatodaynews correspondent, the Iyalaje of Oyo state, Alhaja Sadiat Ajiwumi Ajibike said:
“The choice of the Iyaloja General is the choice of the traders and I and everyone of our people across all the major trading markets of Oyo state are standing to support the people’s choice; Alhaja Sarat Aduke Konibaje”
She advised that “God should intervene on this matter and all stakeholders, particularly our dear Governor Seyi Makinde should do the wishes of the traders.
While lending his voice at the occasion, the Babaloja of Oyo land, Alhaji Nureni Alade also corroborated the claim that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje is the recognized Iyaloja of Oyo state.
“We reject any other person who is currently parading herself as the Iyaloja except Alhaja Saratu Aduke, this person in question who calls herself Folashade Abeo has no selling point in any of the markets in Oyo state, we know ourselves and we know the cap of leadership does not fit anyone else other than Saratu Aduke for now”
“In order for us to make the stand of Oyo traders known to the entire Oyo state and Nigeria in general, we decided to host the presence of our own preferred and most recognized candidate, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje for the seat of Iyaloja of Oyo state to publicly declare our support for her”
“We do not want anyone who have no grassroot touch with us and we collectively reject any attempt by anyone to impose herself or be allowed to be sponsored against the general interest of the traders association of Oyo state, we don’t have people that have no market space in any of the markets in Oyo state who claims she want to lead us as the Iyaloja general “
“We trust that our dear Gov. Seyi Makinde is going to listen to our requests because He has been a listening Governor to us and he’s been reaching out to us in all his programmes for the state, we have received palliative support from Oyo state government many times, we have enjoyed all his empowerment initiatives and He has never failed to always carry us along in all his special programmes for artisans and traders in this state”
“In terms of empowerment and palliative distribution to ease our burdens and even the community bank he asked us to go and obtained the form for economic relief and support for our trading business to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, none of us has been denied access from the form, so we have no doubt in the Governor’s impartial leadership style”
“Folashade Abeo is only an empty bucket that hold no water as we do not recognize her as our Iyaloja because she’s not one of us as a trader, the court has ruled that she should not parade herself as Iyaloja of Oyo state again but she is being adamant and we know the law will take it’s due course”
“All that we are waiting for is the congratulatory message from our Governor, which shall then serve as impetus to validate our preferred choice of Iyaloja general”
While speaking at the occasion,
Oloye Alhaja Khadijat Adepeju Bakare, the Iyaloja general of Oyo land, was quoted that “Alhaja Sarat Aduke Konibaje is our unanimous candidate that all of us at Oyo land recognized and it is obvious that all our people in Oyo land are with us on this judging from this turn out today at this august event”
“I have authority over my people in all the markets in Oyo town here and I don’t Lord myself on them but I always allow them to freely make a choice on who they preferred as the Iyaloja general of Oyo state and that is why these mammoth crowd of Oyo traders have come to let the whole world hear their voices that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje is our choice as Iyaloja general of Oyo state “
“My people in Oyo land are with me on this matter and it is an unanimous position that every traders from all the political regions in Oyo state made, this position is the same you will hear from our people at Ibadan, Oyo, Okeogun, Ogbomosho and ibarapa”
“We appeal to Our Governor to please recognize Alhaja Saratu Aduke as our Iyaloja general and issue her certificate of recognition as this is the wish of the majority of us who are trading in all the markets in Oyo state and it is an unanimous decision to which history will be proud of”
“Gov. Makinde should kindly not transact the SAFER economic support package with any other person than Alhaja Saratu Aduke”
“We appeal to our Governor to kindly approve our recommendation of Alhaja Saratu Aduke as our choice as Iyaloja General of Oyo state and give her all the political and economic support we needed at this critical time of economic downturn so we can have the needed financial aid to sustain our business even if the Governor want us to access the support as loan facilities, we are ready to do so and we will repay it accordingly”
In her vote of thanks, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje, the adopted nominee for the Iyaloja General of Oyo State thanked all Oyo traders and stakeholders and particularly send a strong word of appreciation to His excellency, Gov Dr Seyi Makinde and the former Oyo central senator, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu.
“I thank all our Oyo traders for standing with me especially in this time, I appreciate your unalloyed support and loyalty to this course, I pray God’s infinite mercy shall continue to be with you all”
I use this privilege to assure you that in Ibadan, Saratu Aduke is their Iyaloja General of Oyo State, our letter is out this month, let me also appeal to all those who haven’t receive the palliative being distributed by the government to be more patient, everyone will be taken care of, I’ve been placed in charge of it and I shall ensure equal distribution of this dividends to all of you that are concerned “
“For those who know me, I am not in anyway seeking to become the Iyaloja General of Oyo State to accumulate wealth, by God’s grace I’m blessed ,I just want to use the office to serve the collective interest of all traders in the state and be your eye and representative, therefore be assured that by God’s grace, I shall deliver”
” My gratitude goes to our Governor once again because He has always support the course of the traders and I sang a song for him prior to his return election which is a prayer of victory and I thank God that he answered my prayers for him, I believe I shall also testify and celebrate victory like our Governor soon”
“Special appreciation goes to my ever supportive mother, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Aduke iya Aduke for standing by me all these while and for not leaving the course of Oyo state traders unattended to, I pray that God almighty will never leave her”
“Lastly, I want to enjoin all our people to remain calm, hardworking and prayerful , we shall land safely and rejoice the victory of this majority together”
Immediately after her vote of thanks, she went with her entourage and all the principal officers of the Oyo traders association on a tour round Akesan market ,Oyo and paid solidarity greetings to all the traders in the market while also listening to their words of advices.
The endorsement meeting also featured special prayer, presentation of packaged gift and food items for the entourage of the Iyaloja General of Oyo State and everyone that grace the event.
Those present at that meeting include:
Alhaji Nureni Alade Eleniyan, Babaloja General Oyo Land. Alhaja Adepeju Bakare Adijat, Iyaloja Oyo Land(Iyaloja Oyo East). Alhaja Sadiat Ajiwumi Ajibike, Iyalaje of Oyo State. Alhaji Dauda Ojo Atayese, Babaloja Oyo East. Alhaji Fatai Aiyesoro, Babaloja Atiba Local Government. Alhaja Fatimo Abdullahi, Iyaloja Atiba Local Government. Alhaja Fatimo Hammed, Iyaloja Oyo West Local Government. Pa Ezekiel Oguntunji, Babaloja Oyo West Local Government. Pastor Paul Afolabi, Babaloja Afijio Local Government. Mrs Mistura Kolawole, Iyaloja Afijio Local Government.
Oyo Market Traders Executive:
Alhaji Bakare Isiaq — General Secretary
Alhaji Sehu Aleem — Treasurer
Mr Bello Isiaq — PRO
Mr Mumini Abiodun — Vice Secretary
Hon Adetunji Adedeji — Ex-Officio
Mr Sulaimon Obidele — Ex-Officio
Mrs Amudalat Adeleke — Ex-Officio
Mr Waheed Agboluaje — Ex-Officio
Otunba Adebayo Alhaji — Ex-Officio
Mr Ismaeel Adebayo(Pele) — Member
On the entourage of the Iyaloja general were the Iyaloja of Ibadanland Alhaja Olorunero, president Ibadan traders association Alhaji Dauda Hazmat Yisa Kolayode and Olori Atoke.
