Market men and women in Oyo are divided over the choice of woman leader otherwise known as Iyaloja General while seeking intervention of the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde over the leadership crisis.
This development has resulted in emergence of different factions with resultant effect on the commerce at various markets in the state.
Two prominent women, Alhaja Saratu Konibaje and Chief Folashade Abeo are at the forefront of the struggle for the leadership position.
However, eight out of the existing market clusters have jointly written an open letter to the State Governor, seeking approval from Alhaja Saratu Konibaje while other group are drumming support for Chief Folashade Abeo.
The signatories calling for endorsement of Konibaje include; President, Alhaji Dauda Abiodun Oladepo; the Vice President, Mogaji Salaudeen Qarmardeen; the Second Vice President, Chief Mrs. Stella Olabode; the Financial Secretary, Chief Mrs Labake Lawal and the Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Yisau Kolayode Hamzat;
Others were both Ex-Officios, Alhaja Hamdalat Iyadunni Lawal and Alhaji Azeez Amole Najimdeen; alongside three other members, Chief Mrs Odunayo Kayode Danjuma; Alhaji Malik Adebayo Babasale and Alhaja Fausat Adebiyi, respectively.
But the letter was not signed by the Treasurer, Chief Mrs Juliana Titilayo Raimi and a member, Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh.
The letter read in parts: “We respectfully wish to call the attention of Your Excellency to the crisis that the pending ratification of appointment of Iyaloja General of Oyo State has been causing in the state.
“The issue had been heating up the polity and if not timely concluded could degenerate into chaos, more media war and civil unrest in the state.
“We also wish to mention that our informal sector in the State constitutes more than 60% of the economy and, allowing crisis in such sector could be brutal and unbearable to the state.
“Your Excellency would recall, that you approved the inauguration of the Council in March, 2022 as the highest traders’ group in the State and we have been working hard to ensure that we contribute our quota to the development and growth of the economy of the State as well introducing new innovations to our our dear station on the pedestal of development. Part of the innovation is the nomination of Alhaja Saratu Adunni Konibaje as Iyaloja General of the State.
“The Council during its meeting on Thursday, April 6th, 2022 commenced the process that would lead to the appointment of Iyaloja General in the State. The duo of Alhaja (Princess) Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen and Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje were nominated during the Council meeting and election was held.
“Alhaja Aduke Konibaje polled a total vote of 7 while Alhaja (Princess) Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen scored 2 votes which showed that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje clearly won the election.
“To our dismay, the Ministry of Trade claimed to have forwarded the result of the peaceful election to Your Excellence for ratification as appropriate, but we are yet to receive any information regarding the issuance of Certificate and other instruments of Office to her, talk less of assuming duty as expected.
“To this end, we are using this medium to appeal to Your Excellency to please, promptly ratify the nomination of Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as Iyaloja General of Oyo State. This will not only douse the tension in the State but would also fast track the economic development of our dear State,” the letter stated.
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