Oyo Govt Reaffirms Position on Market Leadership Process, Babaloja-General-In-Council in Oyo State

The Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry (MITC&I), Oyo State Government, wishes to address recent public discussions and a misleading publication with the headline “Steer Clear of Traders Affairs, Groups Tell Oyo Government, Trade Commissioner”, which has created a distorted impression regarding the role of Government in the affairs of market leadership structures and the emergence, inauguration, and ongoing engagement processes of the Babaloja-General-in-Council in Oyo State.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Oyo State Government has at all times acted strictly within its statutory mandate, guided by extant laws, judicial pronouncements, and established administrative procedures governing the administration of market associations in the State, particularly under the Oyo State Market Leaders’ Council Law, 2020.
The Ministry’s involvement has remained purely administrative, facilitative, and supervisory in nature, aimed at ensuring order, inclusiveness, and industrial harmony within the trading community across the State.

It is important to recall that the leadership issue relating to the office of the Babaloja-General stemmed from a subsisting judgment of the Oyo State High Court delivered on 17th June, 2022 by Hon. Justice K.B. Olawoyin, which nullified the earlier disputed arrangement and clearly affirmed that the authority for selection of a Babaloja-General lies exclusively with traders through the duly recognized Market Leaders’ Council.

Following the judgment, the Ministry formally sought legal clarification from the Ministry of Justice, which confirmed that the Market Leaders’ Council is empowered to initiate a fresh, lawful, transparent, and inclusive process for the emergence of market leadership, and that no stakeholder was expressly disqualified from participating in such a process. The legal advice further reinforced the necessity for strict adherence to due process and established judicial guidance.

In compliance with this legal framework, the Market Leaders’ Council reconvened and undertook its internal processes, culminating in a formal selection exercise in which eight (8) out of twelve (12) members voted in favour of Alhaji (Chief) Yekini Abass Oladapo as Babaloja-General of Oyo State. This outcome was duly conveyed through appropriate government channels and subsequently received the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE, leading to formal ratification and issuance of a Certificate of Recognition in November 2022.

It is equally pertinent to place on record that the entire process was anchored on extensive stakeholder engagement across the 33 Local Government Areas of the State. Following the dissolution of the previous leadership structure, Government received a formal request from the Office of the Babaloja-General seeking approval to embark on a statewide sensitization and consultation tour across all 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State. The request was aimed at engaging market stakeholders, sensitizing traders on government economic initiatives, and gathering feedback to strengthen coordination within the market system.

The Ministry duly granted approval for the tour, with designated government officials assigned to accompany and observe the process in order to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to due process. The engagement exercise further strengthened consultation, unity, and communication among market stakeholders across the State.

Subsequent administrative engagements, including a structured request dated 28th November, 2025 for continuation of statewide market consultations, were also duly approved by the Ministry. Government officials were assigned to participate, while clear directives were issued for professional conduct and submission of comprehensive reports. These continued engagements underscore the consistency of Government’s oversight role and its commitment to orderly market administration.

The Ministry categorically states that at no point did the Government impose any candidate or interfere with the internal decision-making processes of traders’ representatives. The role of Government has remained strictly administrative, facilitative, and anchored on respect for judicial authority, statutory provisions, and due process.

Accordingly, any narrative suggesting undue interference by the State Government or the Honourable Commissioner does not reflect the true position of facts, the legal determinations of the Court, or the structured administrative processes that guided the entire sequence of events from 2022 through subsequent engagements.

The Oyo State Government remains firmly committed to sustaining peace, stability, and orderly governance within all market associations, while continuing to support lawful institutions within the informal sector in line with judicial pronouncements, extant laws, and the public interest.

Signed:
Mr. Olajide Mamud Okesade
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry
Oyo State Government