The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has cautioned Princess Folashade Abeo Nurudeen to stop fanning embers of disunity in the state, saying discriminatory statements against Ibadan land over the Iyaloja-General of Oyo State tussle would not materialise.
In a statement signed by its President-General, Barr. Niyi Ajewole, CCII said it would not close its eye while some people are fanning the embers of animosity that can disrupt the pleasant atmosphere of peace that Ibadan and Oyo State is enjoying.
Ajewole noted that CCII stands by merit, competence, due process and level playing ground for all contenders.
“As a peace loving socio-cultural organisation, CCII has been playing a neutral role by interacting with the two contenders with a view to ensuring that peace reigns in Ibadan land, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
The President-General, however, condemned what he described as descriminatory statement against Ibadan land by Abeo, stressing that Ibadan’s liberalism should not be taken for granted.
“Ibadan indigenes will not fold their hands while some people, out of undue envy, hatred and desperate lust for power gang up to discriminate, intimidate and wage war against our own daughter, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje.
Abeo had in a statement said: “Oyo State belongs to all zones. So, it would be fair, just and equitable if another zone is allowed to produce the state’s Iyaloja General, given that Oyo State Government has formally recognised Mr. Y.K. Abass, who is from Ibadan, as the Babaloja General.”
But CCII maintained that an Ibadan man being the Babaloja of Oyo State doesn’t preclude an Ibadan woman from becoming Iyaloja of Oyo State, if she is eligible, qualified, accepted and her emergence followed due process.
“If indigenes of the same town or city in Oyo State emerge as Babaloja and Iyaloja, 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,” Ajewole added.
Meanwhile, seven out of the nine market leaders’ council in Oyo State have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to ratify the nomination of Alhaja Saratu Konibaje as Iyaloja General of Oyo State.
The statement signed by leaders of of council, said the governor’s ratification will not only douse the tension in the state, but would also fast-track the economic development of Oyo State.
