By Benson Daniel
The Oyo State Government has appealed to the two factions involved in the prolonged dispute over the installation and recognition of the Babaloja General of the state to withdraw their legal case and embrace dialogue in the interest of peace and unity among traders.
The appeal was made by the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Adelabu, during a meeting with representatives of both factions in Ibadan.
The dispute centres on the leadership of the Babaloja General of Oyo State, with Yekini Abass Oladapo recognised by the state government while another faction is backing Chief S.A. Jimoh, the Babaloja of Bodija Market.
Adelabu said the government was concerned that the prolonged disagreement could undermine unity among traders and limit their ability to benefit fully from government programmes and economic interventions.
He said several prominent individuals had previously attempted to resolve the matter without achieving a lasting settlement, stressing that the contending parties must now demonstrate genuine willingness to resolve their differences.
According to him, the government had opted for persuasion rather than coercion, with the Department of Trade expected to formally communicate the administration’s appeal to both sides.
The commissioner said the ministry would also require official evidence that the legal action had been withdrawn so that the development could be properly documented.
He, however, warned that the government could consider appropriate measures if the parties failed to act on the appeal after consulting with their lawyers.
The government-recognised Babaloja General, Yekini Abass Oladapo, welcomed the intervention and called on the various groups to openly discuss their grievances and work towards restoring peace within the trading community.
Oladapo said he remained committed to a peaceful and united administration, urging traders to place the collective interest of the market community above their differences.
Chief S.A. Jimoh, who is supported by the opposing faction, also commended the government for intervening in the dispute.
Jimoh urged the contending parties to look inward, make necessary adjustments and work towards restoring unity among traders across the state.
The meeting was attended by Babalojas and leaders of various traders’ and market associations from the 33 local government areas of Oyo State.
At the meeting, representatives of both factions agreed to work towards withdrawing the matter from court and creating conditions for peace and unity among traders.
The dispute has a long history. A 2022 judgment by the Oyo State High Court had nullified an earlier process that produced Oladapo and directed that the emergence of a Babaloja General should follow the recognised market leadership structure.
The state government subsequently maintained that it had acted within its administrative responsibilities and that the Market Leaders’ Council was empowered to conduct a fresh process for selecting the market leader.
The government’s latest intervention therefore represents an attempt to bring an end to years of disagreement through dialogue rather than prolonged litigation.
For Oyo’s trading community, a resolution could help restore stability within market associations and improve cooperation with government on economic policies, market development and support programmes.
The parties are now expected to engage their legal representatives and take steps towards formally withdrawing the case, while the state government continues to monitor the process.
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