 has advised leadership of various social clubs.){kind=link}
The Research Centre for Integrity Assessment and Evaluation (RCIAE) has advised leadership of various social clubs, religious and traditional groups in Ibadan in Oyo state to steer clear of the leadership tissue rocking traders association in the state.
The center said that trade associations are entities registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), therefore traditional institutions, government, religious groups and social clubs do not have any right to interfere with their activities.
The centre noted that it has been revealed that some associations and clubs are the ones causing problems among traders in the state.
The centre maintained that the major causes of problems among trade associations in the state are interference from politicians, groups and associations.
It the advised various groups and associations to stop dabbling into issues that has to do with traders in the state.
Secretary of the research center, Mr. Omobolaji Aremu, in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, also advised various groups and individuals not to distract the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
“We think it’s right time to call leaders and elders in Ibadan to get right what their priority should be and stop causing detraction and downgrading Ibadan cultural, traditional and historical heritage. Rather they should channel energy towards gathering support for the governor to fight food insecurity in order to force down escalating prices of foodstuffs and boost agricultural development in the state.
“Trade associations are entities registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), therefore traditional institutions, government, religious groups and social clubs do not have any right to interfere with their activities. If they are causing problem within the state, government will use security agents to curb their excesses and prosecute them where necessary.
“If they have unresolvable issue among themselves, the only institution allowed by Nigerian constitution to decide on such a case without anyone or group acting contrary is the judiciary. They have the grace of seeking legal redress to resolve their differences.
“Meanwhile, the major causes of their problems are interference from politicians, covetousness of some politicians among them, who now engaged outsiders to carry out their evil plan and lastly, the composition of the agency that government instituted to serve as middlemen between traders and government, that is, market leaders advisory council.
“The market leaders advisory council was initiated by the past administration to help manipulate traders for political benefits of the government in power. Hence they brought together traders, markets men and women, and those who do not have anything doing with buying and selling nor have shops in our market places, like the canteen operators, Bricklayers, welders, painters, musical instruments renters and artisans generally, through marriage of inconvenience.
“Of course, the governor who lumped together traders and artisans, others to serve his selfish interest got it all wronged, because he couldn’t get what he wanted through them. Even now, most of them do not have electoral value. Especially now that the people of Oyo State are voting for individuals not political party not the person presented to them by their greedy leaders. We have seen that in the past and even in election that returned Engr Seyi Makinde as the executive governor of Oyo State for the second term. Only ignoramuses still depend on leaders who cannot get 10% of the total votes in the ballotbox placed infront of their family house.
“We would like to also advise the state governor to consider individual’s personality when reconstituting market leaders advisory council that will serve as middlemen between traders and his administration. To avoid problem, traders should be separated from artisans, canteen operators and others. Traders associations are about five altogether, leader of each association who will serve in the advisory council must have means of livelihood, his or her shop must be fully stocked.
“Expectation was so high during the last general elections, some of them were moving from house to house pledging support to politicians. Some even promised to work against the sitting governor, some associations openly declared for candidates of opposition parties. Their sudden change wasn’t a surprise because they said governor’s body language is in favour of a particular candidate and they wouldn’t want to be left out in the sharing of cash and materials, including exotic cars. Evidence against them are available and they shall be exposed at the appropriate time.
“From investigation carried out by our team and evidences gathered, traders from the 33 local government councils in Oyo State, including leaders from the 5 zones came together to elect and install Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh as their Babaloja-General at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan on 24 of August, 2020. But few days after Alhaji Y. K. Abass went to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland,Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 to be installed by the royal father as Babaloja-General. Documents, including newspapers and videos supporting both installations are available”
ENDS