By Ahmed Ajikobi
Leadership crisis is rocking association of market men and women following the alleged sack of the Iyaloja General of Kwara State, Alhaja Adenike Abdulkareem Lambe and members of her executive.
Also, said to have been removed was the Iyaloja of Mandate market.
The dissolution was said to have been initiated by aggrieved members from the entire 186 markets in the state.
The development was yesterday greeted with wild jubilation by some women across various markets in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to a source, trouble was said to have started following the trader moni scheme of the Federal Government which was launched in the state by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The source blamed some market leaders such as Alhaja Sidi Akaje (Oja Oba), Alhaji Ayinla Agaka (Oja Oba), Sikirat Babamale, Lateef Ajanaku, Kabiru Agaka, Mashood Alaya, Iyabo Oloriegbe among others for fuelling the crisis.
The source alleged that the right procedures were not followed in the disbursement of funds for the trader moni scheme in the state.
“They didn’t follow the normal procedure for that trader moni scheme and the organisers brought people who are not market men and women to register. They brought some people from Adeta, Adangba, Alore among others to Mandate market.”
However, when contacted last night, Alhaja Lambe said she remains the Iyaloja General of the state.
She denied the claim of her sack adding that the development emanated from aggrieved traders who want to use politics to destroy the peace enjoyed by market men and women in Kwara State.
“Nobody has removed me, I’m still the Iyaloja General and my executives remain. They are only spreading the rumour of my removal telling people they were carrying out instruction of the Governor-elect and the APC.”
Lambe however warned against such falsehood, saying, “Market association is a non partisan organisation. We don’t do politics. It is those people who engage in politics outside the market that are spreading the rumour.”
In his response, the Babaloja General of Kwara State, Alhaji Tunde Jimoh said, he heard of the unfounded rumour.
He said, “Some of those spreading the rumour were desperate to capitalise on the incoming administration to take the position of leadership of the market.”
