The Oyo State Government on Friday, presented appointment letters to Princess Folashade Abeo and Alhaji Y.K. Abass as Iyaloja-General and Babaloja-General of the state, respectively.
The state government also confirmed the appointments of two other prominent market leaders, S.T. Jimoh as Aare Oloja of Oyo State and J.T. Raimi as Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State.
The confirmation brings to an end a three-year tussle between Princess Folashade Abeo Nurudeen and Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje over who is authentic Iyaloja-General of Oyo State a situation that has divided Oyo State market community.
The appointment which was earlier confirmed in a statement issued by the state Commissioner fo Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated that the decisions were conveyed in a document from the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Demola Ojo.
According to Oyelade, the appointments recognise the contributions of the four market leaders to trade and commerce, particularly their roles in coordinating trading committees across the state’s 33 local government areas.
Presenting the appointment letters to the new market leaders, the State Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Co-operatives and Industry , Prof. Soliu Adelabu charged the appointees to justify the confidence reposed in the them by the government and market stakeholders
Speaking shortly after her confirmation as Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Princess Folashade Abeo expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde, describing it as fulfillment of promise to market people in the state.
Princess Abeo said her confirmation is a great opportunity not only for herself but for all market people across Oyo State.
“I am very, very happy and grateful for the opportunity. Very great opportunity for all the people of Oyo State and myself. It is a challenge which I am very sure we are all ready to embrace,” she said.
She noted that market administration in the state has evolved, with markets now belonging to state government rather than being under local traditional authorities.
“Upon a time, market used to be for local, for the Obas and everything. But now all of us see that market belongs to the state government. So we don’t have anything other than to work with government and do whatever in line with rules and regulations of the state,” she stated.
Princess Abeo used the occasion to call on market women, artisans and all market men to support Governor Makinde in appreciation of what he has done for market community.
“Life is give and take. Governor Seyi Makinde has given us what all of us have been waiting for. Market women, artisans, all market men, I call upon you. Let’s do it together. We can do it,” she said.
She further called on traders across the 33 local government areas to rally behind candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the forthcoming elections, saying the support is to ensure continuity of good governance and fulfilment of promises made to market people.
“Let’s support Governor Seyi Makinde and let’s support Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi and all APM candidates. Let’s do all it takes to make sure this dream is fulfilled,” she added.
Felicitating Abeo, Member representing Ibadan North Constituency One, Hon. Olufunke Olajide, and Director of Women Mobilization for APM Apex Campaign Council, Mrs. Ramata Agberemi-Dabo, charged traders in the state to give the appointees the necessary supports.
Recall the the dispute began in April 2022 when Oyo State Market Leaders Council said it elected Alhaja Konibaje with support of 10 out of 12 market blocs and sought government ratification.
Princess Abeo on the other hand said she got endorsement after visiting late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, late Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdganiy Ajinese I, and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, who called stakeholders meeting to endorse her and issued her official letter.
Market leaders argued that appointment of market leaders is exclusively for traders through Market Council, not traditional rulers, citing High Court judgment of June 17, 2022, while Mogajis and chiefs in Ibadan also warned there cannot be two Iyaloja-General.
Governor Seyi Makinde waded in, calling for unity and warning those fanning embers of disunity, while Ministry of Trade attempted fresh election which was halted by Oyo State House of Assembly.
The ministry later ordered both women to stop parading themselves as Iyaloja-General and withdraw court cases pending final resolution, before today’s confirmation of Princess Abeo by government.
