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Some leaders of thought and respected market leaders under the aegis of Oyo State Market Council have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to expedite action on the position of Iyaloja General in the state, adding that they await the governor’s final decision on the controversial issue.
A statement jointly signed by the leader of Oyo State Market Council, Alhaji Kamorudeen Adegbayi, and Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, said the decision of the governor would put an end to the controversy surrounding the position of Iyaloja General of Oyo State, which they said have created issues among market men and women in the state.
Recall that Makinde had on Wednesday urged those promoting division over the position of Iyaloja General to put an end to their actions.
The governor, while speaking on the issue at his Ikolaba private residence, emphasised the need for unity and discipline, calling on those promoting discord to refrain from further exacerbating tensions.
The controversy surrounding the position of Iyaloja General sparked by conflicting claims to the title by Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje and Princess Abeokuta Nurudeen, has caused unrest within the market community, raising concerns about its impact on commerce and unity in the state.
However, the group stated that now that the governor has spoken on the issue, they are waiting for who Makinde would give certificate of recognition to as the authentic Iyaloja General of Oyo State.
According to the statement, the decision of the governor on the matter as the chief executive officer of the state supersedes any other decision.
“As a democratically elected governor, who came on board under the rule of law and love of the people, we await his decision to give certificate to whoever he deems fit to be the Iyaloja General of Oyo State, whether it is Alhaja Saratu Konibaje, who had seven blocs of market men and women, or Princess Abeo Nurudeen that had just two blocs during the election.
“When the whole issue started, the state government waded in and called for election among the two contenders. The election was supervised by Oyo State Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Women Affairs, and Ministry of Trade and Commerce. Alhaja Saratu Konibaje had seven blocs while Abeo Nurudeen had just two,” the group said.
The group thanked the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dauds Akinola; former President General of CCII, Oloye Bayo Oyero; Incumbent CCII President General, Barr. Niyi Ajewole, and others stakeholders for their consistent efforts on the matter, which eventually brought the issue to the notice of the governor.
The elders and leaders in Ibadanl land as well as some leaders of thought in Oyo State had at different meetings opted for “due process” to resolve the crisis surounding the position of Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.
The due process, according to them, led to the emergence of Alhaja Saratu Konibaje as the Iyaloja General of Oyo State. They urged Makinde not to allow anyone mislead him.