Leaders of thought under the aegis of Oyo 22/33 have cautioned some self-acclaimed groups of elders in Ibadan who are bent on using the Ibadan agenda to frustrate moves that will promote unity and benefit Oyo State.
They warned those behind such a move to note that Ibadan is not Oyo State but a zone in the state that has the same rights as other zones
Club 22/33 is a group of leaders from Ibarapa, Oyo, Oke Ogun and Ogbomoso geopolitical zones in Oyo State advocating for justice and equity in allocating resources positions and others in the state.
The group in 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 is 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 Coordinator, Comrade Olajide Adeyemi, the activities of self-acclaimed Ibadan elders on issues concerning the allocation of positions and resources in Oyo State are unacceptable and insulting to other zones that are also entitled to the same resources and positions.
“On Iyaloja General of Oyo state, it is a known fact that Princess Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen Abeo was duly installed as the Iyaloja of Oyo state by the late Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 on the 26th April 2021.
She was nominated by the 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 hindrances only for the conflict entrepreneur who believed in the domineering power of Ibadan to raise another candidate and began a forlorn 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 Princess 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, technicians, traders, and others. This was communicated through a letter signed by the market leaders’ joint committee under the leadership of Alhaja Iyadunni to the office of the chairman of the Oyo state traditional council, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi of blessed memory, who acted on their demand with the full support of other traditional rulers.
They maintained that it was 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.
“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 the pecuniary benefit and selfish interest now believe 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 over 18 other traditional rulers installed Alhaja Folasade Nurudeen Abeo as Iyaloja General of Oyo State? Why are they desperate about retaining Iyaloja’s position in Ibadan when it is obvious that Iyaloja General is not among the policymakers 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 Iyaloja’s position.
“The group also called on Governor Oluseyi Makinde to continue to ensure equity and justice in allocating 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 didn’t object to Abeo’s installation as a governor who believes in equity and justice. We are calling 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, implore the so-called Ibadan elders and VVIPs to stop using eminent and responsible people’s names in projecting their agenda.”
