Segun Showunmi, Ibadan
A group, Coalition of Traders in Oyo State, has kicked against what they described as the imposition of Alhaji Yekini Abass as the Babaloja of Oyo State by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, saying that the constitution of the association remains sacrosanct
This is coming 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 Olubadan’s decision on the installation.
The group, in a letter signed by three of its members, comrades Ayobami Ajala, Abu Abioye, and Mrs. Adebukola Oyewo in Ibadan Tuesday evening, frowned at the decision of some individuals to cause a crisis in the association.
The group said: “It’s an embarrassment and very disgraceful that some individuals could nurse the 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 return and end the suffering of our dear people.”
The letter read further: “Over two million market men and women from the 33 local governments 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 the 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 there wasn’t any objection or rancour throughout the process.
“It is pertinent to also state here that our association is like every other association or union 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 a leader on any of these, NMA, NBA, NFF, NSE, NLC, TUC, it would be very impossible for anyone to impose a leader on our association. We have a constitution and it must be adhered to, to avoid a 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 the 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 enjoyed by the good people of Oyo State.
“We also know Olubadan to be a defender of his subjects, promoter of people, who always stands against injustice, especially of this nature which is similar to what late Senator Abiola Ajimobi was trying to carry out when he embarked on an illegal restructuring of Ibadan obaship titles. It is on record that Kabiyesi resisted this evil agenda very unrepentantly.
“To also buttress our assurance on Kabiyesi’s zero tolerance for injustice, His Majesty has once sent us a letter on similar issues, the letter was on Kabiyesi’s letterhead 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.” Counting on this, we have the belief that some selfish individuals are those misleading His Majesty on this issue.
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 remains Babaloja of Oyo State and has legal rights to continue functioning in the same capacity till his tenure ends, with the option to seek re-election for the second term.”
It urged Abass to stop parading himself as the Babaloja, stressing that it won’t compromise its choice of Alh. Jimoh as the Babaloja of Oyo State.
“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 urgency and necessity, intervene to prevent looming crisis and possible break down of laws and order,” the group appealed.
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