Referring To Alhaja Saratu As Iyaloja-General Despite Makinde’s Warning Is A Disrespect To Constituted Authority – Group Replies Mogaji Ariori*

A socio-political group based in Ibadan, ‘Ibadan A Gbe Wa O’, has outrightly condemned the President of the Association of Ibadan Mogaji, Alhaji Asimiyu Ariori, for referring to Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as the Oyo Iyaloja-General.

Alhaji Ariori, during his appearance on Lagelu FM on Monday, authoritatively claimed that Alhaja Saratu is the current titleholder of Iyaloja-General, which is seen as an affront to the recent directive of Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde.

This comes despite the recent warning from Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, directing all parties involved in the Iyalojaship dispute to cease their actions in order to reduce unrest in the market community.

The Governor also warned that nobody should be referred to as the Iyaloja-General of Oyo State until the ongoing process is finalized and a Certificate of Recognition is given to whoever is deemed fit for the position by the current administration.

The late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, installed Princess Azeezat Folashade Abeo Nurudeen as the Iyaloja-General.

The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Ayodele Ajibade, stated that the Mogaji, through his utterance, lacks dignity and discipline for going against the warning of the state’s Governor.

The statement read, “It is disheartening to hear that a titleholder like Alhaji Ariori would come out in the public space and keep re-endorsing Alhaja Saratu Aduke as the authentic Iyaloja-General of the state. To us, this lacks logic and sense.

“We condemn the statement in its strongest terms until the recognition is done by the government. We believe that Alhaji Ariori is supposed to be one of the people seen at the forefront of promoting unity and discipline among the parties and should refrain from exacerbating tensions further.

“It is sad that he is the one promoting disunity and hatred in the market community.

“The disobedience of a traditional titleholder like Alhaji Ariori to the Governor of this state is an affront on our traditional values and a hindrance to progress.

“So, we are calling on other titleholders in Ibadanland to rise above petty endorsements and work towards harmonious relationships between our traditional institution and the market community.”