Market traders and artisans from Oyo State’s six geopolitical zones have united in support of Princess Folashade Abeo Nurudeen’s candidature as the state’s Iyaloja General.
They emphasized that her sincere and pure demeanour towards the market leaders’ association has undoubtedly been felt throughout the state, especially in light of her initiative to empower traders and artisans to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, the traders who insisted that Oyo state belongs to all zones in the state said that it would be fair, just, and equitable if another zone was allowed to produce the state’s Iyaloja general, given that the Oyo state government has formally recognised Mr. Y.K. Abass as the Babaloja General, who is from Ibadan.
It added that Princess Abeo’s installation as the new Iyaloja General was consequent upon the letter which the Oyo State Market Leaders Joint Working Committee wrote to the late Alaafin of Oyo and Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Traditional Council, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on 14th March, 2021 where no fewer than eight (8) out of twelve (12) various cluster groups comprising of Artisans, Technicians and Traders in Oyo State endorsed Princess Folashade Abeo Nurudeen.
The statement was signed by representatives from the 33 local governments, including Alhaji Badmus Adisa Muritala, Chairman Suppliers Association of Oyo Zone, Oseni Ejire, Chairman Oyo Traders Association Eleekara Market Zone, Rafiu Tijani Elerumooke, Chairman Oyo Traders Association, Obada market Zone, Alhaja Taibat, Chairperson Oyo traders Association Ajegunle market, Alhaji Adewale Tajudeen Romoke, Chairman Plastic traders Oyo Zone Akesan market, Ayanwale Alimotu Ayantoke Representative of Traders association Sabo market, and others.
The group noted that the eight (8) clusters of Oyo State Market Leaders Joint Working Committee, where the Presidents and Secretaries endorsed the candidature of Princess Azeezat include the following:
“Canteen Workers Association of Oyo State, while Alhaja (Chief) Hamdalat Iyaduni Lawal and Mr Oluwaseun Olaniyan endorsed Folashade Abeo Nurudeen’s candidature on behalf of the association as the President and Secretary.
“Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Oyo State approved her candidature with signatures of Alhaji(Chief) Yisau Kolayode Hamzat and Alhaji Sabitu Akanji Salawu as the president and Secretary.
“Chief (Mrs) Patience Labake Lawal and Alfa Waheed Salaudeen signed on behalf of Joint Traders Association of Oyo State as the president and Secretary.
“Nigerian Youth Traders Action International endorsed her candidature with signatures of Alhaji Najimdeen Amole Azeez and Alhaji Kabiru Oladipupo as the president and Secretary.”
In a related development, Oyo State Association of Traders in Nigeria, was also in support of her candidature with approval from Mrs Stella Modupeoluwa Olabisi and Comrade Taofeek Oyewale Alausa as the president and secretary.
Continuing, Ibadan Joint Traders Association with signatures of its president and Secretary in persons of Mr Abiodun Adeola and Alfa Kamil Ari yo, while National Traders and Market Leaders Council confirmed her installation with signatures of Alhaja Sikirat Hammed Lawal and Alhaja Funke Ayinde as the president and secretary.
While Companion Traders Association of Oyo State is not left behind as her candidature was endorsed by Chief Samson Adeola Afolabi and Alhaja Isiaka Lawal as the president and secretary respectively.
While maintaining that Alhaja Saratu has no right to be acclaiming herself as the Iyaloja General, the group noted that no zones or clusters would ever permit both the Iyaloja General and the Babaloja General to come from Ibadan.
It equally appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to address the ongoing Iyaloja crisis, pointing out that Alhaja Saratu, who is from Ibadan, had taken the issue too far with the way her people are dragging people on social media and spreading lies and scandal to damage Princess Abeo’s reputation, who we know has never once insulted or disrespected her.
