Leaders of Thoughts, under the aegies of Club 22/33, has cautioned some self-acclaimed group of elders in Ibadan, who are hell-bent in using Ibadan agenda to frustrate moves that will promote unity and peace in Oyo State.
They warned those behind such clandestine moves to note that Ibadan is not Oyo State but a zone in the state that have the same right like other zones.
Club 22/33 is a group of leaders of thoughts from Ibarapa, Oyo, Oke Ogun and Ogbomoso geo-political zones in Oyo state, advocating for fairness, justice and equity in allocation of resources, positions and others in the state.
The group, in a reaction to the recent outburst against Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland Edo and Delta States, who doubles as Aare of Ibadanland, His Eminence, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola (D-Damak), for reconciling Babaloja General, Alhaji YK Abass and Iyaloja General, Princess Azeezat Abeo Nurudeen, as they claimed at a special Ramadan/Iftar hosted by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Excellency, High Chief (Senator) Rasheed Ladoja at his Ondo Street, Bodija Residence is for toeing the path of honour and truth against the injustice they are spreading is lack of disrespect for consenting authority.
The group, while advising them to desist from fanning embers of division and promoting disunity among the traders and market women in the state, said the attack was part of their antics to frustrate the selection of Alhaja Folasade Nurudeen Abeo as the Iyaloja General of Oyo.
According to a statement signed by its Cordinator, Comrade Olajide Adeyemi, the activities of self-acclaimed Ibadan elders on issues concerning allocation of positions and resources in Oyo State is unacceptable and insulting to other zones, who are also entitled to the same benefits.
“On Iyaloja General of Oyo state, It is a known fact that Princess Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen Abeo, was duely installed as the Iyaloja of Oyo state by the late Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on the 26th of April, 2021.
“She was nominated by Oyo state Market leader’s joint working committee and letters were transmitted to appropriate authorities including the government for approval which was done without any hinderances only for the conflict entrepreneur who believe in domineering power of ibadan to raise another candidate and began a forlon war.
“We are aware that the traditional rulers including the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Soliu Akanmu Adetunji, and other stakeholders agreed that Iyaloja should come from another town from the state, since Babaloja is from Ibadan and they all supported the installation of Pricess Azeezat Folashade Abeo as the Iyaloja General.
“Princess Abeo’s selection as Iyaloja General was approved by 8 out of the 12 various cluster groups including artisans, technician, traders and others, and it was communicated through a letter signed by Market leaders joint committee under the leadership of Alhaja Iyadunni of food canteen to the office of Chairman, Oyo State Traditional Council, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi of blessed memory, who acted based on their demands with full support of other traditional rulers,” the statement said.
In addition, the group maintained that it is insensitive and wickedness on the part of the anti-abeo’s team to be projecting another Ibadan person, which has produced the current Babaloja, Asiwaju Oloja and 10 among the 12 presidents, as the new Iyaloja General of the state when it was already agreed that both Iyaloja and Babaloja cannot come from the same city or town in the state.
“Obviously, those projecting Alhaja Saratu Konibaje as Iyaloja against the already installed Folasahade Nurudeen Abeo are not just mischievous but also desperate to destroy the legacies of the highly revered traditional rulers who installed her.
“It is quite unfortunate that some group of conflict entrepreneurs who, for pecuniary benefit and selfish interest, now belief the decision of the highly revered traditional rulers who endorsed and installed Abeo as Iyaloja General of the state should no longer hold because they have joined their ancestors.
“The question begging for answer is where were these jesters when the late Alaafin and other over 18 traditional rulers installed Alhaja Folasade Nurudeen Abeo as Iyaloja General of Oyo state? Why are they desperate about retaining Iyaloja position to Ibadan when it is obvious that Iyaloja General is not among the policy makers or High chief in Ibadan? What exactly is their interest? They should tell their paymaster the truth and disengage from the beer parlour statement on Iyalojaship position,” they added.
The group also called on Governor Oluseyi Makinde to continue to ensure equity and justice in allocation of resources and positions as well as maintaining peace and orderliness in the state.
“Governor Makinde is not sentimental about issues, he was aware of the whole process and he didn’t object to Abeo’s installation as a governor who belief in equity and justice.
“We are urging him to ensure Princess Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen Abeo is officially recognized as Iyaloja General of the state and also stop those causing confusion to stop misleading the public.
“We, however, want to implore the so-called faceless Ibadan elders and unrecognised VVIPs to stop using eminent and name of responsible people in projecting their forlon agenda,” they concluded.
