The Oyo State Market Leaders Council has responded to a statement credited to Mrs Odunayo Kayode Danjuma appealing to Governor Seyi Makinde to allow them elect their leaders, the Council leaders described Danjuma’s statement dubious and misleading, and implore the Public to be mindful of their dealings with her, as she did not represent the Market Leaders Council nor the association she claimed to be the Chairperson who have asked her to step aside.
Speaking to Journalists in Ibadan, Alhaji Hamzat Kolayode Iysau the President of Artisans in State, Alhaji Dauda Abiodun Oladepo, former Chairman Market Leaders Council, Alhaji Najeem Azeez Amole, former PRO Oyo Market Leaders Council and Princes Labake Lawal among others all condemned Mrs Danjuma’s statement and stated that the communiqué signed by 29 Market Leaders representing different groups on June 21st 2024 at the meeting called by the former Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperative, Otunba Ademola Ojo still stand and should be respected.
The Communiqué reads
” COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A STAKEHOLDERS’ RECONCILIATORY MEETING OF THE WARRING TRADERS IN OYO STATE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, INVESTMENT AND COOPERATIVES, SECRETARIAT, IBADAN ON FRIDAY, 21ST JUNE, 2024
At the end of the expanded stakeholders meeting, it was agreed and resolved by all participants that;
- In line with the Governor’s directive, all pending court cases against the Babaloja-General of Oyo State should and must be withdrawn with immediate effect,
- The state government has not approved anybody’s name as the Iyaloja-General of Oyo state and as such does not recognize anybody identifying themselves as the Iyaloja General of the state,
- No individual should henceforth, parade herself as Iyaloja-General of the State, pending the approval and pronouncement by the State Government and as such should refrain forthwith, with presenting themselves in that capacity either in public or private functions.
- Each of the twelve (12) existing Clusters in the State must return the template of the data collection of the Traders’ Association registered under them within two (2) weeks from today being Friday, 21 June, 2024 for onward administrative purpose by the ministry.
- Any Association that is not comfortable or feels its interests are not well protected under any Cluster and wishes to exercise their rights to freedom of association as enshrined in the Constitution should signify in the Template of such Association for the Ministry’s attention and consideration,Associations that wish to belong to a new Cluster should equally signify their intentions by approaching the Ministry Officially”
The Market Council Leaders therefore warned Mrs. Odunayo Kayode Danjuma to stop dragging the name of the State Governor as the State Government through His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde is doing everything possible to ensure that justice prevail and the recognised Iyaloja-General approved by the Market Leaders is duly recognised by the State Government.
This news outlet also learnt that National Association of Nigerian Traders, Oyo State that Mrs Odunayo Kayode Danjuma claimed to represent in a petition dated May 30th, 2024 submitted to their National Headquarters passed a vote of no confidence in her leadership , citing issues of abuse of office, insensitivity to the lingering market issues in Oyo State, and her deliberate mischievous act, which has further worsen the crisis in the State, and not in the interest of the Association.
