By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Ibadan Mogaji’s, chiefs, and concerned sons and daughters of Ibadanland have thrown their weight behind Alhaja Saratu Konibaje as the Iyaloja of Oyo State, saying the state can’t have two Iyaloja’s.
They affirmed that Alhaja Konibaje remained the only Iyaloja of Oyo State who hadn’t followed due process, saying any process aside from due process that produced Alhaja Konibaje as the Iyaloja of the state is none and void.
A statement jointly endorsed by the President, Association of Ibadan Mogaji’s, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator, Ibadan Security Initiative, advised the impositor to desist, saying the emergence of Alhaja Konibaje was a joint decision from market men and women.
According to the statement, it is an erroneous belief that since the Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass, is from Ibadan, the Iyaloja of Oyo State should not also come from Ibadan.
The statement reads, “Alhaja Saratu Konibaje is the real Iyaloja of Oyo State; her emergence followed due process; market men and women are the ones who appoint their leaders; they picked their leaders themselves with the supervision of relevant government agencies.”
“We can’t have two Iyalojas of Oyo State; Ibadan people have decided to endorse due process that paved the way for the emergence of Alhaja Konibaje.”
“Some monarchs within the state are fanning embers of disunity; they claim that because the Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass, is from Ibadan, they said the Iyaloja of Oyo State must not also come from Ibadan.”
“Market men and women from the 33 local governments across the state have followed due process in selecting Konibaje; the late Alaafin picked Abeoosa; no king has the right to choose Iyaloja of Oyo State.”
“Even when Olubadan appointed YK Abas as the Babaloja of Oyo State, he still went through the due process, and the process was approved by the government through the supervising ministries and agencies.”
“Due process has been followed; Alhaja Konibaje has been picked by market men and women themselves, so anybody who has a contrary opinion should approach the supervising ministry for amendment.”
