Some traders in Oyo State have kicked against the installation of a popular textile merchant, Alhaji Yekinni Abass, popularly called Y.K Abass, as the new Babaloja-General of the state by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji. Describing the monarch’s action as an act of imposition which according to them, is capable of causing a kind of disunity amongst traders in the state if care is not taken. Reacting to this development, both the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, had earlier on said that Olubadan’s decision doesn’t not represent the position of Oyo State Government on the matter.
In fact, Olatunbosun, a day after Y.K Abass’ installation, while featuring on a radio programme, declared that the state government was not aware of the installation.
The whole issue however took a rather interesting dimension, when the state’s Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde visited Olubadan in his palace last week Tuesday. As Governor Makinde, against the earlier positions of the two commissioners (Commerce & Industry and Information), approved Olubadan’s decision to install Y.K Abass as the Babaloja of Oyo State. Governor Makinde paid a courtesy visit to Olubadan to felicitate with him since he was out of the state when the monarch recently clocked 92.
In a press release later issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the governor was quoted to have said that his administration would continue to give all traditional rulers what is due to them. That as a well-brought man, he would never disrespect elders and would always do all that is needed for all the traditional rulers in the state. “I want to say here that since Kabiyesi has taken such a decision, it is confirmed by the government as well. So, they should follow the needed due process. Kabiyesi cannot make a decision and we will overturn it.”
But despite Governor Makinde’s approval, some traders who were not in support of Alhaji Y.K Abass’ appointment as Babaloja seems to be set for a showdown. As the have vowed to defend their association’s constitution. The traders, under the aegis of ‘Coalition of Traders in Oyo State’, have since issued a powerful statement. Distancing themselves from the whole process that produced Alhaji Y.K Abass as Babaloja, describing it as an imposition.
The group, in a letter signed by three of its members, Comrade Ajala, Comrade Abu Abioye and Comrade (Mrs.) Oyewo, and made available to journalists on Tuesday evening in Ibadan, condemned the decision of some individuals to cause a crisis in the association.
“It’s an embarrassment and very disgraceful that some individuals could nurse the idea of imposing a leader on over two million market men and women in the state at the period when everyone is praying God to completely drive Covid-19 away from Oyo State to enable normalcy returns and end the suffering of our dear people.”
The group, therefore, submitted as follows: “That over two million market men and women from the 33 Local Government Councils in Oyo State agreed and nominated the Chairman of Babaloja and Iyaloja of Bodija Market, Ibadan, who is also the Chairman of Babaloja and Iyaloja of 11 Local Government Councils in Oyo State, Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh as Babaloja Of Oyo State.
“That at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan where Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh was elected as Babaloja of Oyo State all zones have their Iyalojas and Babalojas in attendance, including Okeogun, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, others are the 4 zones from Oyo Town.
“That the process that produced Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh as the Babaloja of Oyo State followed due process and was conducted in line with the constitution of our association. This was the reason why there wasn’t any objection or rancour throughout the process.
“It is pertinent to also state here that our association, like every other associations or unions registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Just like no one can singlehandedly impose a leader on any of these, NMA, NBA, NFF, NSE, NLC, TUC, it would be very impossible for anyone to impose a leader on our association. We have a constitution and it must be adhered to, to avoid a crisis.
“We know and believe the state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde is a lover of peace and a respecter of rule of law. He would not want to go against the rule of law which he has also benefited from when the governorship election that produced him was challenged in the court of law. Neither would the governor be interested in any issue capable of truncating the peace currently enjoyed by the good people of Oyo State.
“We also know Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, to be a defender of his subjects, promoter of people, who always stand against injustice, especially of this nature; which is similar to what late Senator Abiola Ajimobi was trying to carry out when he embarked on an illegal restructuring of Ibadan Obaship Titles. It is on record that Kabiyesi resisted this evil agenda very unrepentantly.
“To also buttress our assurance on Kabiyesi’s zero tolerance for injustice. His Majesty has once sent us a letter on a similar issue, the letter was on Kabiyesi’s letterhead paper and signed by Adeola Oloko on 16th July 2020. It reads, “ Kabiyesi Olubadan asked me to inform you that as a matter of principle, he does not interfere in the internal affairs of traders.” Counting on this, we have the belief that some selfish individuals are those misleading His Majesty on this issue.
The Coalition also reaffirmed its stand on who is the authentic Babaloja of Oyo State by making a statement that, “Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh who was duly and constitutionally elected as Babaloja of Oyo State remained as Babaloja of Oyo State and has legal rights to continue functioning in the same capacity till his tenure ends, with the option to seek re-election for the 2nd term,” the statement read.
The Coalition warned any other person parading himself as Babaloja of Oyo State to desist from the act.
“We hereby warn whoever is parading himself as Babaloja to stop doing so immediately because we won’t compromise our stand on the choice of Alhaji Sumaila Aderemi Jimoh as Babaloja of Oyo State. We are ready to defend the mandate of over two million people without fear of intimidation or harassment.
“As law-abiding citizens, we hereby appeal to the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner of Police, Heads of other security agencies, the traditional rulers, religious leaders, leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Congress and personalities in the society to as a matter of urgency and necessity intervene to prevent looming crisis and possible break down of laws and order.”
Meanwhile, in other to ascertain the role of Olubadan in the appointment of Babaloja, this reporter engaged the Assistant Director, Media and Public Affairs to Olubadan, Mr. Yanju Adegboyega in a private chat. During which he, Adegboyega posited that Governor Makinde’s approval has put any controversy surrounding the appointment to rest. Though not speaking in an official capacity but he revealed a little bit further than, “it is the discretion of the market leaders to choose who leads them.
But, they need the ratification of the monarch in the jurisdiction.”
In an interview with this reporter, the former Babaloja of the state, late Alhaji Dauda Adisa Oladapo revealed the process that produced him. When asked about how does Babaloja emerge, late Oladapo said, “back then it was the market men and women that nominate who becomes Babaloja.
But when other associations started coming up, they appoint President among themselves. In my own case, I was duly appointed as the Babaloja of Oyo State by the government. I have a letter of appointment. It is the heads of market units that normally nominate and send such name to government for confirmation.”
Alhaji Yekinni Abass, popularly known as Y.K Abass, was on Friday 28 August 2020, installed as the new Babaloja by Olubadan of Ibadanland in his Popoyemoja palace.
The renowned textile merchant, socialite and former Director, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) is succeeding the late Alhaji Adisa Oladapo, who died June this year, after spending 15 years as Babaloja.
-’Dare Adeniran
