The leadership of the Coalition of Traders, Artisans, Market Men and Women in Oyo State has called on its members as well as the general public to ignore a sponsored story confirming Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of Alhaji Y. K. Abass and Princess Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen as Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General respectively.
Speaking in Ibadan on Wednesday afternoon, the chairman of the coalition, who is also the Southwest Coordinator of the National Association of Nigeria Traders, Chief (Mrs.) Odunayo Kayode Danjuma described the news as fake circulated by the conspirators.
“It is impossible, Governor Seyi Makinde would not through the backdoor endorse anyone as Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General against the will of over two million traders in Oyo State. Those circulating the fake news are enemies of Makinde’s administration, they are instruments/weapons of destruction used by politicians to destabilize opponents, we understand them, and we are ahead of them and their collaborators.
“To the glory of God our people have been able to control their emotions and also tolerate the stupidity of those seeking undeserved and impossible recognition from achieving their main objective, which is to set Oyo State on fire by putting Makinde’s administration against traders, artisans, market men and women in Oyo State.
“Gov Seyi Makinde would not betray the confidence people have in him. He is a governor whose administration passed through high court, appeal and supreme courts, benefited from the rule of law. No, he wouldn’t allow greedy and rebellious people to lure him to recognise illegal, unconstitutional and unjust appointments, that lacks all moral values?,” Danjuma stated
“We had our state meeting at Iseyin on Sunday, those attended the meeting saw where over 2 million traders, artisans, market men and women belong and they will advise the governor at the appropriate time. Our Babalojas, Iyalojas, leadership of each of our associations, Babaloja-Generals and Iyaloja-Generals from the five zones, Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomosho, Oke-Ogun and Ibadanland were all in attendance.
“Manipulation is easy at a place where one is popular, but in a situation where you fall to the minority (not up to 1/1000), any attempt to rub over 2 million people would lead to catastrophe. Those with the power to nominate, appoint and ratify Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General were those that attended state meeting at Iseyin on Sunday. Let me also add this, presently in Oyo State there is nothing like traders advisory council. The present administration hasn’t constituted it, those parading themselves as members of nonexisting body are committing fraud, ask them to produce letter of appointment signed by Makinde’s administration,” she said.
“Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh did not nominate himself, likewise Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje neither were they nominated or approved by minute conspirators or rebellious people. Both of them were nominated, approved and ratified for the positions of Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General respectively by the Congress of Babalojas and Iyalojas, the same people that appointed the late Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Wuraola Asake Kola-Daisi, the same Congress appointed Chief (Mrs.) Justina Iyabode Ogundoyin as Acting Iyaloja-General of Oyo State late last year,” Danjuma explained.
