OYO STATE: GROUP BERATES D-DAMAK, OVER FAILED MOVES TO IMPOSE FOLASADE ABEO NURUDEEN AS IYALOJA GENERAL

A group of market leaders in Oyo State under the leadership of Alhaji Kamorudeen Adegbayi on Wednesday queried the nocturnal moves and surreptitious actions of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, who also doubles as Aare of Ibadanland, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola (D-Damak) to make Princess Folashade Abeo Nurudeen the Iyaloja-General of the State against the popular demand of both the state government and stakeholders across the markets in the state.

Adegbayi, in his reaction to last night's (Tuesday) Iftar (breaking of fasting) at the Bodija residence of a former Governor of the State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, wondered why Aare ‘went with Folashade Abeo’ to the residence of the elder statesman who has consistently shown his displeasure over the leadership crisis on Iyaloja matter.

In a statement by Alhaji Adegbayi and made available to Zynga New.com, he recalled recent event where Aare Musulumi himself was present and efforts to showcase Abeo Nurudeen as Iyaloja and alleged moves to impose her as same, failed.

According to Adegbayi, “during the recent Baba Ladoja’s annual Ramadan Lecture, Abeo allegedly went there and made several futile efforts to be recognized as Iyaloja-General at the event.

“Also, some stakeholders last week Tuesday met at the Ibadan House with Aare Musulumi; the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole and one of his predecessors, Alhaji Bayo Oyero; and which also had market elders and leaders in attendance, the speakers at the event recalled and explained to the audience how Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje emerged Iyaloja-General of the State after all the 12 clusters across the markets including four representatives’ of the State Government, participated in the exercise.

“Yes, we explained to them (the people at the Ibadan House meeting) how Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje emerged winner by polling seven votes to defeat Abeo Nurudeen who got just 2 votes. 

“Everybody including Aare Musulumi nodded in unison that the process that threw up Saratu Aduke Konibaje was indeed unassailable, hence her emergence as Iyaloja-General of the state since then.

“A number of them also wondered why Abeo Nurudeen is parading herself as Iyaloja having lost out in the process.

“For our Aare Musulumi to now be pressuring Babaloja-General of the State, Alhaji YK Abass to ‘forgive Abeo Nurudeen of whatever their differences are” beats our imagination and such ought not to have been a matter of discussion at all at Baba Ladoja’s house.

“Is Aare Musulumi planning to impose Abeo Nurudeen on all the market leaders in the state by his antics; unnecessary and unsolicited interventions? 

“As a close person to our amiable and God-fearing Governor Seyi Makinde, is Aare trying to circumvent the process and secure Governor’s nod to impose Abeo Nurudeen through the back door?

“Are they looking for ways to nullify the election of Saratu Aduke Konibaje and secure certificate of recognition for Folashade Abeo through any means possible?

“Why is Aare pressuring Alhaji YK Abass to soft pedal and co-operate with Folashade Abeo? 

We maintain our position as stakeholders that Aare cannot impose Abeo on our people. 

What interest is there for him to insist it must be Abeo Nurudeen or no one else? 

“After everybody has seen the truth at Ibadan House meeting that Saratu Aduke is the choice of all market women and leaders, why is Aare still supporting injustice?

“We believe our dear Governor is a democrat and believes in the rule of law and would not do anything to change or suppress the will of our people,” Adegbayi added.