Oyo: Congress lashes Makinde over recognition of Abass as Babaloja-General

Congress of Babalojas and Iyalojas in Oyo State has lambasted Governor Seyi Makinde for appending his signature on the certificate of recognition to Alhaji Yekini Abass as Babaloja-General of Oyo State.

The Congress in a communique issued at the end of its emergency congress at the weekend described the recognition as mere waste of time.

In the communique, the Babalojas and Iyalojas condemned the governor and unanimously rejected Alhaji Yekini Abass as Babaloja-General, adding, “the congress which comprises of Babalojas and Iyalojas from the 33 local government councils and five geopolitical zones in Ibadan unanimously rejected the choice of Alhaji Yekini Abass as Babaloja-General of Oyo State.

“In view of the fact that the action taken by the government of Oyo State under Engr. Seyi Makinde is bilated, hence it’s of no substance, becomes null and void”, adding, ” the Congress also referred Oyo State Government to the acton it took on August 24th, 2020 at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State House of Assembly where Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh was elected and subsequently sworn-in as Babaloja-General of Oyo State by this same Congress.” 

The Babalojas and Iyalojas added, ” The congress also wish to bring to the awareness of Gov Seyi Makinde that Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh was presented to the Oyo State House of Assembly through House Committee on Trade for recognition and the house issued letter of recognition immediately to him”.

” As at the time of electing and swearing-in of Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh there was no bridge/intermediary between the governor and the trader’s association, that necessitated the need to write house committee on trade, as well as ministry of trade and industry. Market Leaders Council was inaugurated long after the installation of Alhaji Sunmaila Jimoh.” 

“The Congress has not received any petition or complaint against the installation of Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh and as at the time of holding today’s emergency Congress meeting no individual or association or agent has approached any competent court to challenge or fault the election and swearing-in of Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh as Babaloja-General of Oyo State”

They insisted that Alhaji Yekini Abass “was never nominated nor contested for the position of Babaloja-General of Oyo state, it noted it was also on record that weeks after the installation of Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh as Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass allegedly mislead the late Olubadan of Ibadan to request the monarch to install Alhaji Yekini Abass as Babaloja-General of Oyo State, which the monarch asceeded to.

“Alhaji Yekini Abass installation as Babaloja-General of Oyo State was challenged in the competent court of jurisdiction, precisely Oyo State High Court and the court gave its verdict on Friday 17th June, 2022. The court said, no traditional rulers has right to install nor be involved in the process of installing Babaloja-General of Oyo State.”

The Congress further said, “The court also warned Alhaji Yekini Abass to stop parading himself as Babaloja-General of Oyo State and that he should not be addressed as Babaloja-General of Oyo State by anybody.”