Ten of the 12 existing market bunches in Oyo state have asked Governor Seyi Makinde to order immediate ratification of the election of Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as Iyaloja-General of Oyo state.
In an open letter to the governor over the raging controversy on the Iyaloja-General of the state, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Ibadan weekend, the market bunches said this will end the controversy.
The letter titled ‘Appeal for prompt ratification of nomination of Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as Iyaloja-General of Oyo state’ was dated November 20, 2023 and signed by 10 of the 12 market leaders in the state.
Disowning the alleged claimant to the title, Princess Folashade Abeo, the letter stated that, “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% to the economy and, allowing crisis in such sector could be unbearable to the state”, it said.
The letter added, “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 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.”
