Apex body of traders in Ibadan, the Ibadan Joint Traders’ Association has debunked the purported removal of the Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Chief Mrs. Labake Lawal.
The body while describing it as a lie and a calculated effort by some disgruntled elements in the association to cause confusion, rift and enmity among the traders, noted that the news of the removal was aimed at bringing both the Iyalode and the Iyaloja of Ibadanland at loggerheads.
While noting that the Iyaloja can and will never look the Iyalode in the face, the group noted that the Iyalode represented an institution that was sacred and that the Iyaloja had always looked to her as a mentor, mother and counselor in all ramifications.
Speaking at a joint stakeholders’ press conference held at the Association House Tuesday evening, the Secretary of the board of trustees, Prince Waheed Apanpa accused one Alhaji Dauda Oladepo of being the mastermind of the manipulations, describing him as a cankerworm in the lives of all market traders.
Apanpa who claims to be a signatory to the association’s account expressed shock at the news that the embattled Iyaloja mismanaged the finances of the association, noting that Oladepo resorted to personality attack because he was eyeing the bus donated to the association by the governor.
Prince Apanpa said: “As you are all aware, there has been various write-ups, news both on the traditional and social medai as regards the purpoted removal of Chief Mrs. Labake Lawal as the Iyaloja of Ibadanland. Let me state here categorially that it was all a lie, a calculated effort by some disgruntled elements in the association to cause confusion, rift and enemity among the Ibadan Joint Traders’ Association.
“Two, the news also goes further to turn the backs of the Iyalode and Iyaloja of Ibadanland against each other; this is another big lie and fruitless effort to stage a coup in an age like this.
“Let me first state here that the Iyaloja can never and will never look the Iyalode in the face, she represents an institution that is sacred and the Iyaloja, Chief Mrs. Labake have always looked to her as a mentor, mother and counselor in all ramifications.
“The Mr. Dauda Oladepo group who went about to announce the removal of Chief Mrs. Labake as the Iyaloja of Ibadanland is an aberration, an abomination of the highest order and a nullity in deed. It is sacrilegous and an insult on the institution of the Olubadan-in-council and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeogunguniso 1
“How can someone wake up and announce the dethronement of a chieftaincy title conferred legitimately by the highest revered, higly respected Olubandan-in-Council. This must be stopped, not only stopped, such offender must not go scot free without being punished to serve as deterrent to others.
“Therefore, going by the enormity of the accusation and the aim to bring the traders to disrepute and at loggerheads with Ibadan traditional institution, I, as the Secretary of the board of trustees of the association and with the consent of the market leaders and stakeholders, I here announce the suspension of Mr. Dauda Oladepo from the association until further notice. The suspension is with immediate effect”.
He further stated that: “It was alleged by these disgruntled elements that Chief Mrs. Labake Lawal mismanaged the fiances of the association, hence Oladepo group resorted to personally malign and destroy her through the social media. We then ask for whose interest?
“It was all a calculated effort to stage a coup and just because Chief Mrs. Labake put the interest of the members at heart, protecting their interest and not allow the scavengers, hawks and self centred Dauda Oladep to have his way to loot and cart away the Association’s money, he resorted to acts of brigandage and lost his soul to the devil.
“At a time when accountability, transparency, equity and justice is being preached to put our nation forward which Chief Mrs. Labake Lawal epitomizes, Dauda Oladepo is the opposite”.
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