Babaloja tussle: Oladepo, IJTA President narrates how he survived assassination
From Olanrewaju Agiri, Ibadan
After surviving what he described as an assassination attempt on Wednesday 28th October, the President General, Ibadan Joint Traders Association (IJTA) Alhaji Dauda Abiodun Oladepo has narrated his close to death experience from the incidence.
It would be recalled that the leadership tussle rocking traders association’s/unions in Oyo State assumed a new trend when some hoodlums stormed the secretariat of Ibadan Joint Traders Association (IJTA) at Mapo, in Ibadan on Wednesday and unleashed terror on the President of the body, with an attempt to kidnap him.
While recalling his ordeal to newsmen after leaving the hospital, Alh. Oladepo stated that it was the grace of God that his health was quickly restored back after being macheted on the head by the assailants allegedly sent after him from the Olubadan’s palace.
His words: “We were holding our quarterly meeting at out secretariat which normally comes up fortnightly when the secretary of the association, Kamilu Ariyo rose up and started accusing everyone, putting allegation against some members, and he pointed at me that I was the one who sued Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“I never sued Olubadan, He’s our father and Kabiyesi is very good to me, the person we sued was the person that is calling himself Babaloja of Oyo State (Alh YK Abass). We ( the marketers) know our leader, the man is not a marketer so there’s no way he can be our Babaloja, let him tell the world where his market is located…he is only a food vendor. Grand-pepper millers cannot be the one to install Babaloja for us, we have an association and we know ourselves, and the right to choose babaloja belongs to those who are trading in the markets and the title belongs to us. And that was the reason we went to court”.
Kamilu Ariyo was the one that signaled to the hoodlums and he pointed me to them as they entered into the premises where we’re having a meeting. They said I should be brought to the palace of Olubadan, and the thugs who were armed with guns and cutlasses descended on me with machete, I was mercilessly beaten blue-black and they tore my cloths, it took the intervention of some of my members before I was rescued from them before I was taken to hospital.
“The thugs took the key forcefully from one of our members and drove the bus given to the association to the palace of Olubadan, which shows that they were sent to come and kill me from the palace. I don’t know my offense to warrant being killed, and there was no Police to report the matter to. I only briefed my lawyer for appropriate actions.
“Our Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde is so dear to us, because he has been helping us in the market ever before he became the governor, by giving our children scholarships and supporting our businesses with grants, and that was why we mobilized for him and voted for him during the election. And we thank God that our prayers were answered, and he emerged as Governor, am sure he’s not pleased with this situation and we’re going to formally brief him.
“And on the path of Kabiyesi, he has made it so clear to us in the past that he did not have interest in anyone among traders becoming Babaloja. That was stated in a letter he wrote to me which I filled. So we know they’re trying to use Baba’s name to oppress us.
“One of Ibadan High Chiefs in the person of Chief Amidu Ajibade was once inciting some of my people to go to the media to say that they have removed me, moreover, we have our guiding principles and constitution in the association. Our association was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and no one can push us around. I have great regards and respect for Kabiyesi, Olubadan of Ibadan and we will not do anything to tarnish his name or belittle his throne,” said Oladepo, the IJTA President.
Speaking in the same vein; the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alh. Ismaila Aderemi Jimoh also described the incident as a condemnable act which is totally unacceptable to the vast trader’s populace.
He explained that “Alh. Oladepo cannot take matter to court singlehandedly; it was the association that is suing the person who is trying to usurp a position that is entitled to them and not Kabiyesi that is being taken to court”.
“Such incidents do not portray us traders in a good light, sending assassins against each other. I know Kabiyesi can never be party to such a dastardly act, he’s a father to all of us and every party involved”, said Alh. Ismaila Aderemi Jimoh
Meanwhile, a source from the Olubadan’s palace denied the involvement of the royal father, he said, “some traders rushed to the palace on Wednesday to report the president of IJTA, Alhaji Dauda Oladepo, who they alleged led some thugs to their shops and ordered attack on them.”
