Kwara traders reject inauguration of parallel leadership
...say kangaroo congress birth new excos
By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Kwara State Marketers Association has condemned the alleged
purported inauguration of a parallel leadership, describing the action
as illegal.
The alleged new leadership comprise of Alhaja Sidikat Akaje and
Alhaji Abdullahi Saad as new Iyaloja-General and Babaloja-General
respectively.
Others are Alhaja Muibat Abdulraheem Olumo as Vice Iyaloja of Kwara;
Mallam Yusuf Olatunji as Youth Leader, Alhaja Funmilayo Kobi named as
Iyaloja Mandate Market; Alhaji Ishola as Babaloja Kulende, Alhaja
Abdulwahab Rianat and Alhaji Hassan Ayinla as Iyaloja and Babaloja of
Oja-Oba, among others.
But, a statement signed by the duo of Iyaloja General of Kwara State,
Alhaja Adenike Lambe and the Babaloja General, Alh. Tunde Jimoh
described the congress held by the parallel group as
unconstitutional.
They declared the letters issued to the factional leaders under the
leadership of Alh. Hammed Toyin Lawal as null and void.
“In a normal arrangement, we have Iyaloja General and Babaloja General
from Emirate while our assistants with other officers drawn from among
traders from across the three senatorial districts in the state.
“Meanwhile, the kangaroo congress was subjective and didn’t cut across
all markets. All their activities are not in order as its only
marketers within 16 Markets in Ilorin that were selected.
“This is a coup against Kwara South where the Iyaloja General, the
Iyaloja of Mandate and Iyaloja of Sango hail from.
“We urge the general public and marketers not to recognise the so
called new leadership because it’s already a subject of litigation.
“We don’t want to bother about the personal relationship of Alh. Toyin
Hammed Lawal with some of the women which has equally influenced his
decision.
“We hereby urge our members to maintain peace as we have approached
the court for justice to prevail, ” the statement added.
Speaking to our reporter on the development at the weekend, Lambe said
the public should disregard rumour making rounds that she has been
sacked by Kwara State Governor, Alh. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
She decried attempt by some non traders to interfere in the affairs of
their association and take decisions for them.
She disassociated her executive from the congress that produced the
new leadership, saying that genuine members were absent at the
meeting, which she labelled as kangaroo.
“The congress was convened by sponsored members of the association. It
was without knowledge of real members of the association,” she
further said.
She stressed that, there is no vacuum in the leadership the Kwara
State Association of Marketers (KWAM), saying she remains the
authentic Iyaloja General.
“The matter is before a competent court of law and we shall leave no
stone unturned to ensure that justice is achieved.”