The Ibadan Mogajis, Chiefs and concerned sons and daughters of Ibadan land have thrown their weight behind Alhaja Saratu Konibaje as the Iyaloja of Oyo State.
A statement jointly signed by the President, Association of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator, Ibadan Security Initiative, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, affirmed that Alhaja Konibaje is the only Iyaloja of Oyo State, adding that her selection followed due process.
They said the emergence of Alhaja Konibaje was a collective decision by market men and women in the state.
According to the statement, it is an erroneous believe that since the Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass is from Ibadan, the Iyaloja of Oyo State cannot also come from Ibadan.
“Alhaja Saratu Konibaje is the real Iyaloja of Oyo State. Her emergence followed due process; market men and women are the ones who appoint their leaders. They pick their leaders with the supervision of relevant government agencies.
“We can’t have two Iyalojas of Oyo State. Ibadan people have decided to endorse due process that paved the way for the emergence of Alhaja Konibaje.
“Some monarchs within the state are fanning embers of disunity. They claimed that because the Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass is from Ibadan, Iyaloja of Oyo State must not also come from Ibadan.
“Market men and women from the 33 local government areas across the state have followed due process in selecting Konibaje. The late Alaafin picked Abeoosa; no king has the right to chose Iyaloja of Oyo State.
“Even when Olubadan appointed YK Abass as the Babaloja of Oyo State, he still passed through due process, and the process was approved by the government through the supervising ministries and agencies.
“Due process has been followed, Alhaja Konibaje has been picked by market men and women themselves. Anybody that has contrary opinion should approach the supervising ministry for amendment,” the statement said.
