The Chief Press Officer to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye, has dismissed as ” mere fabrication”, claims by the Oyo State Market Leaders’ Council that Alhaja Sarau Aduke Konibaje has been chosen as the new IYALOJA General of Oyo State .
In a statement, Bode Durojaiye said contrary to misinformation and blatant lie, Alhaja Azizat Folasade Abeo was unanimously chosen in the presence of all the State market leaders associations at the ancient palace in Oyo town on Tuesday.
” It all started when some State market leaders met with the Alaafn to present to him their choice of Alhaja Azizat Folasade Abeo, as the new IYALOJA general for endorsement , a position which had been vacant over a period of time, but it was zoned to Oyo.
” Consequently, as the Permanent Chairman of the State Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs, Alaafin swung into action by consulting, through writing, to all other traditional rulers in the State for their opinion. All the traditional rulers across the State gladly endorsed the candidature of an Oyo born Folasade Abeo.
” Also similar letter was written to the President, Oyo State Market Leaders Council and Chairperson, Oyo State Canteen Foodsellers Union, Alhaja Iyadunni Amudalat Lawal but was not responded to.
Another letter was written by the monarch, inviting her for her opinion, which necessitated Tuesday’s meeting at the ancient palace in Oyo town”.
Durojaiye disclosed that those present at the peace meeting included members of the Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi), Alhaja Iyadunni Amudalat Lawak, President, Oyo State Traders and Artisans, Alhaji Kokayode Hamzat, Presudent, Oyo State Joint Traders Council, among others.
” At the peace meeting, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who stressed the need for mutual harmony devoid of rancour point-blank my told the gathering how the choice Folasade Abeo was arrived at and his unbiased role in seeking opinions of all critical stakeholders on the natter.
The Chief Press Officer stated that Alhaja Iyadunni was also given the opportunity to give her own side of the story.
” Alhaja Adunni who accused some members of causing disaffection and bickerings among market leaders council because of greed and covetousness, said she received Alaafin’s letter on the choice of Folasade Abeo, but did not object to it. She said an I scan born candidate ( Alhaja Saratu Konibaje) had earlier been brought to her by some members, before the Oyo born Folasade Abeo name was sent to her by the Alaafin. But she told the gathering that the post will only be vacant for an Oyo indigene, since it is the turn of Oyo to have it”.
Durojaiye explained that after the reconciliation between the two major contesters, Alhaja Iyadunni, and other members of the State market leaders council openly accepted and endorsed the candidature of Alhaja Azizat Folasade Abeo as the new IYALOJA general of Oyo State. While Alhaja Saratu Konibaje was chosen as her Deputy.
” It is, therefore, worrisome and disturbing that the State market leaders council could defecate the media space with tissue of lies. We have it on recorded audio visual tapes all that happened on Tuesday at the palace”.
