Oyo state Leaders Council of Secretaries has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to officially present Certificate of Office to the Iyaloja-General of Oyo state, Princess Azeezat Folashade Abeo in order to end all forms of bickering and avoidable crisis going in the state.
Alhaji Kabiru Oladipupo made this known to journalists in Ibadan via a statement on Saturday, September 23 on behalf of .
It was gathered that after Princess Abeo’s installation as the Iyaloja-General of Oyo state by the Late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, at an event witnessed by members of Oyo State Traditional Council of Obas including the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Olugbon Of Ile Igbon, Iba Of Kishi and other stakeholders completed all necessary process that should culminate into final presentation of Certificate of Office to her by the state government as a symbol of authority.
Late Oba Adeyemi III was quoted as advising the Iyaloja-General; Princess Abeo after her installation, to maintain her status quo on all factors which birthed her nomination, recommendation, and installation as the new Iyaloja General of Oyo State, while also praying that her pure and genuine disposition to the market leaders’ association would henceforth, culminate into fruitful and prosperous results.
According to the Leaders Council of Secretaries comprising eight out of the 12 clusters that made up the Council, Princess Abeo’s installation as the Iyaloja-General of Oyo state followed due process and was widely accepted and endorsed by consenting stakeholders, wondering why presentation of her Certificate of Office was being delayed leaving room for needless crisis and avoidable controversies.
Furthermore, the Leaders Council of Secretaries disclosed that prior to the emergence of both Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General of Oyo state, the two offices and other lesser offices within its leadership were adequately zoned to other administrative zones to reflect inclusiveness and cohesion of purpose stressing that the delay in the presentation of Certificate of Office to Princess Abeo birthed the lingering controversy.
The Leaders Council of Secretaries added that while the office of Babaloja-General, now occupied by Alhaji Y. K. Abass was zoned to Ibadan, that of Iyaloja-General was zoned to Oyo where Princess Abeo hails from in order to engender equitable distribution of its offices wondering why another person from Ibadan would continue to deliberately cause disaffection and crisis within the state Market Leaders Council by parading herself as Iyaloja-General contrary to the zoning arrangement and concluded installation process.
The Leaders Council of Secretaries also recalled that the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamido Adeyemi III installed Princess Abeo as the Iyaloja-General of Oyo state on April 26, 2021 following her recommendation by the Oyo state Market Leaders Council in due compliance with the existing zoning formula to engender equity, fairness, and justice.
While appealing to Governor Makinde to give approval for the presentation of Certificate of Office to Princess Abeo, the Leaders Council of Secretaries stated that it would continue to be partner in progress with the state government to further develop Oyo state economy, commerce and industries in line with the governor’s Sustainable Development Agenda.
“We have tried for long since the official installation of Oyo state Iyaloja-General, Princess Azeezat Folashade Abeo, by the Late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, in the presence of other members of critical stakeholders and members of the Oyo state traditional council of Obas, to refrain from joining issues with those who are hell bent on truncating the peace and unity in Oyo state Market Leaders Association.
“In the spirit of deepening democratic process in our operations especially in selecting our leaders in Oyo state, the Market Leaders Council and Leaders Council of Secretaries across all administrative zones of the state adopted zoning offices of the Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General as well as other executive offices to reflect inclusiveness and cohesion of purpose.
“While the office of Babaloja-General was zoned to Ibadan and now occupied by Alhaji Y. K. Abass, office of Iyaloja-General was equally zoned to Oyo now occupied by Princess Azeezat Folashade Abeo, following her recommendation by the Market Leaders Council, the highest organ of the market leaders Association, and installation by the Late Alaafin of Oyo, making the entire process of ascension to the office, complete.
“We have seen several mischievously sponsored stories in different sections of the media where another woman from Ibadan had gone about parading herself as the Iyaloja-General contrary to our zoning arrangement not to zone both Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General to Ibadan alone, thereby causing needless controversies and disaffection within our well structured Market Leaders Association in the state.
“We earnestly appeal and implore our father and friend of the masses, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to give approval for the presentation of Certificate of Office to Princess Abeo, which symbolizes Government authority completing the entire installation process because there would not have been any consequent crisis if this was done immediately after the installation of Iyaloja-General by the late paramount ruler.
“As law abiding association and critical stakeholders in the Governor Makinde’s Sustainable Development Agenda, especially in developing our state’s economy, commerce, trade, and industries, we feel very concerned and fearful that if further delay was allowed to fester, the person parading herself as the Iyaloja-General of Oyo state would not stop to use money to create disaffection among us thereby, stagnating us from recording needed growth and development in our developmental strides.
“In light of this, we strongly reaffirm our unwavering commitment and dedication to the Governor Makinde led government towards revolutionizing commerce and trade in Oyo state while urging His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde to kindly help us use his good office to bring immediate end to this needless crisis occasioned by one singular person in the state
