CCII urges due process in emergence of Iyaloja-General of Oyo

Says nothing wrong in Ibadan indigenes becoming Babaloja, Iyaloja

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) said it stood by merit, competence, due process and a level-playing ground for all contenders in the tussle over the emergence of the Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.

The CCII President-General, Niyi Ajewole, in a statement made available to journalists, yesterday, said that the CCII would not close its eyes while some people are fanning the ember of animosity that would disrupt the pleasant atmosphere of peace that Ibadan and Oyo State are enjoying.

The firm 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.

There has been controversy over the post of Iyaloja-General of Oyo State between Folashade Abeo and Saratu Konibaje.

The CCII condemned the discriminatory statement against Ibadanland by Abeo, who said that Ibadan liberalism should not be taken for granted and Ibadan indigenes would not fold their hand while some people gang up to discriminate, intimidate and wage war against its daughter, Saratu Aduke Konibaje.

Abeo was quoted as saying: “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, given that the Oyo State government has formally recognised Y.K. Abass as the Babaloja-General, who is from Ibadan.”

But CCII maintained that an Ibadan man as the Babaloja of Oyo State doesn’t preclude an Ibadan daughter from becoming Iyaloja of Oyo State if Konibaje is eligible, qualified, accepted and the emergence follows the due process.

“If indigenes from the same town or city of Oyo State emerged 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,” the body stated.

The statement read: “Except for traditional titles, Ibadan people do not care who holds what office, in as much the person doesn’t do anything to bring the integrity of Ibadan to disrepute.

”Non-indigenes have held and still holding political offices in Ibadanland to the posts as high as the office of Local Council Chairman. No town or city in Oyo State has such a magnanimous record.

“In professional and other groups, non-Ibadan indigenes are conveniently holding positions of leadership without unwarranted antagonism from any quarters.

“In view of the foregoing, we enjoin all parties involved to allow peace to reign and let the government decide on the matter as may be necessary.We humbly call on the government to fairly intervene, as no discrimination, based on envious and hateful sentiment, would be accepted.”