WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE BY OYO STATE MARKET LEADERS CLUSTERS TO COUNTER AN ILLEGAL CONSTITUTED OF BABALOJA IN COUNCIL HELD ON 15TH MAY, 2026 AT THE PARLIAMENTARY BUILDING SECRETARIAT IBADAN.
“WE CANNOT PUT SOMETHING ON NOTHING”
The attention of the recognized State market leaders clusters in Oyo State, Zonal market leaders, local government market leaders etc. to the illegal constituted of Babalojа in council by the Hon. commissioner of trade and investment Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, on the 11th May, 2026, in his office.
We see this action as laughable, comic and child play, carry out by the people of low mind.
We strongly believe that the Hon. Commissioner still have a certain level of education than the so-called Babalojа in General Alh. Y.K Abass to know that any action without the legislative backing is null and void and of no effect, and this makes the inauguration of babaloja in council a dead on arrival.
This amorous action of Hon. Commissioner is divisiveness, vindictive and vendetta where he was promoting minority against majority at the detriment of the State government, an action that shown him to be an incompetent commissioner of trade in the history of the State. Hence, he refused to inaugurate market leaders council for the past 2 years but continue to promote Babaloja in council.
He came to destroy the fabrics of love and trust that existed between traders, artisans and government, with his action, he was telling the majority that government doesn’t want them.
No single achievement was recorded for the traders and artisans in his time as commissioner.
The only recognized body backed by legislative edict in Oyo State is Oyo State Market Leaders Council that are in-charge of market activities and serve as liaison between government and traders and artisans in the State and the only body that can recommend for the position of Babaloja and Iyaloja General of the State before government approval.
Babaloja in General is just an Honorary title, not part of the recognized market leaders council, in fact the case on the issue of Babaloja general is still ongoing in the court,
Since the appointment of Y.K. Abass as Babaloja General of Oyo State, it has been from one failure to another, causing disunity among traders in the State, promoting divide and rule and using the position of Babaloja to disorganized the existing market structure in the State, 90% of traders and artisans in the State did not recognized him and vow not to have anything to do with him.
It is on this basis that the recognized market leaders clusters and other organs of the market leaders in all zones and local government of the State in their meeting held on 5th May, 2026 passed a vote of no confidence on him and majority voted for his removal as babaloja general of Oyo State.
We now use this press conference to admonish the general public, government parastatals, traditional institutions, individuals etc. not to have anything to do with Alh. Y.K Abass as Babaloja General of the State. Anybody doing so, do it on his/her own peril.
We want to use this opportunity to admonished the general public that, giving out title of Patron and matron of Babaloja in council to any individual is a fraud and an avenue to dupe the innocent citizen of Oyo State.
Thank you all.
Name Association Signature
1. Alhaji Chief S.A. Jimoh President, Oyo State Market Men And Women
2. Mrs. Odunola Danjuma National Association of Nigeria Traders
3. Chief Mrs. J.T. Raimi President, Association Commodities & Foodstuff Sellers
4. Alhaji Yisau Kolawole Hamzat President, Oyo State Tradesmen and Artisans
5. Chief Mrs. Labake Patience Lawal President, Joint Traders Association of Oyo State
6. Alhaji Chief Afusat Adebiyi President, National Youth Traders and Market Leaders Council of Nigeria (Oyo State Chapter)
7. Alhaji Najim Amole Azeez President, National Youth Traders Action Council of Nigeria
8. Saudatu Owolabi President, Oyo State Canteen Workers9.
