The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has waded into the crisis rocking markets in Oyo State over the choice of Iyaloja-General, calling for calm among warring parties, stating that the body stands by merit, competence, due process and level playing field for all contenders.
CCII, said as a peace-loving socio-cultural organisation, it had played a neutral role by interacting with the two contenders with a view to ensuring that peace reigns in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
A statement by CCII President-General, Niyi Ajewole, said CCII would not close its eyes, while some people fan the ember of animosity that would disrupt the pleasant atmosphere of peace that Ibadan and Oyo State are enjoying.
CCII condemned the discriminatory statement against Ibadanland by Folashade Abeo, saying Ibadan liberalism should not be taken for granted.
The body noted that Ibadan indigenes would not fold their hands while some people, out of envy, hatred and desperate lust for power gang up to discriminate, intimidate and wage war against one of its own, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje.
Abeo, had in a statement, said Oyo state belongs to all zones in the state, so, it would be fair, just, and equitable if another zone is allowed to produce the state’s Iyaloja-general, due to the fact that the Oyo state government has formally recognised Mr. Y.K. Abass who is from Ibadan as the Babaloja-General.
But CCII maintained that the fact that an Ibadan man is the Babaloja-General of Oyo State doesn’t stop an Ibadan daughter from becoming Iyaloja-General of Oyo State if Konibaje is eligible, qualified, accepted and her emergence followed due process.
“If indigenes from the same town or city in Oyo State emerged as Babaloja and Iyaloja of Oyo State, so be it. Ibadan people will not have any cause to oppose it, in as much as it is based on merit and due process was clearly followed.”
The statement by CCII reads in parts: “Our attention has been drawn to the disagreement amongst the traders and artisans in Oyo State generally, concerning the issue of Iyaloja-General of Oyo State. By our understanding, the tussle is between two contenders, namely: Alhaja Princess Azeezat Folashade Nurudeen and Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje.
“Obviously, the tussle is causing ripples amongst the traders and artisans, in a way that is degenerating to the extent that it has led to divisions among traders in Oyo State.
“The particular aspect of the tussle that is giving the CCII concern is the unhealthy and despicable sentiment being introduced to the matter, whereby, members of a faction is hinging their opposition against one of the contenders, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje on the fact that, she is an indigene of Ibadan, to this, we take very exception to such discrimination,” CCII said.
. TheWitness
