Computer Village protests: I have power to appoint anyone as ‘Iyaloja’ – Tinubu-Ojo

The President-General, Association of Commodity Market Women and
Men of Nigeria, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has called on traders at
the popular Computer Village to be law-abiding always and shun acts
that could undermine peace in the market.

She made the call on Wednesday during a meeting with top members
of Computer Village Community Development Association (CDA) and
some traders in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu-Ojo’s call
was in reaction to Tuesday’s protests by some traders in the market
over her endorsement of Mr Adeniyi Olasoji and Mrs Abisola Azeez as
”Babaloja” and ”Iyaloja” respectively.

NAN reports that some traders had staged protests round the
market on Monday and Tuesday against what they called imposition of
the new leaders on them.

The protesters, who paralysed activities at the market for hours
on each of the days, carried placards with inscriptions condemning
the endorsement.

They claimed it was an infringement of their rights for anyone
outside of the market to choose leaders for them, as the Computer
and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) is
independent.

Tinubu-Ojo said the protests were staged on a faulty premise,
and she was disturbed by the action.

She alleged that the protests were sponsored by some disgruntled
elements at the Computer Village who were not interested in the
progress of the market.

Tinubu-Ojo said that the sponsors of the protests were opposed
to the emergence of the new market leaders because they wanted to
perpetuate themselves as leaders of the market.

She denied imposition of the new market leaders on the traders,
saying she only endorsed those who had been chosen by stakeholders
to lead the market.

”I have received several calls from Monday till date about what
I have to say about the protests at the Computer Village and the
allegation that I want to force market leaders on traders .

”And what I have told the people who called me is that ‘Why
didn’t people protesting approach me and ask questions about what
they are not clear about instead of taking the action?’

”But because they did not have the facts, that was why they did
not come and the person who led the protests was the Chairman of
traders who still wants to cling on to power even when his tenure
has expired.

”And he went to organise some people, people who are not even in
the Computer Village, to carry placard saying I want to impose
leaders on them as if the leaders we want to instal are not part of
the market.

”The constitution of our association even gives me the power to
appoint leaders to take charge of any market, but because these
people want to remain as leaders, that is why they are calling
people to reject the new Baba Oloja and Iya Oloja”, she said.

She said it was wrong for anyone to say that as leader of all
commodity traders she did not have right to supervise the affairs
of Computer Villlage.

Tinubu -Ojo emphasised that Computer Village was under her
control as the overrall leader of all markets.

She urged traders at the market to respect their host community
and refrain from statements or actions that could cause
discord.

Tinubu-Ojo said the claim by some traders at the markets that
Lagos is no man’s land could trigger ethnic tension not only at the
market, but in the state.

She said she was the mother to all traders in the state,
irrespective of ethnic backgrounds.

Tinubu-Ojo said she had appointed non-indigenes to head markets
like Tejuosho Phase 2 and Gorodo to prove that she was for all.

She advised traders at Computer Market not to allow themselves
to used to breach the peace at the market, while calling on them to
cooperate with the new leaders.

She also urged the new market leaders to work closely with
traders to improve things at the market.

Speaking on behalf of Computer Village CDA, Alhaji Olushola
Coker said landlords in the area were in support of the endorsement
of the new market leaders.

He said it was normal for markets to have leaders, and wondered
why some traders protested the emergence of the new Iyaloja and
Babaloja.

”We are in support of these new leaders and we commend Chief
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo for endorsing the new market leaders to see to
the affairs of the market,” he said.

Also speaking, the reagent to the stool of Olu of Ikeja, Prince
Isiaka Apena, said the protests over the new market leaders were
uncalled for.

He said leaders were to see to the welfare of markets and urged
those protesting to join the new leadership to move the market
forward.

Apena reiterated the need for traders to show respect for their
hosts, saying the claim that Ikeja belongs to no one was
provocative an an insult to the Aworis who had lived there for over
400years.

Culled from Nigerian Tribune

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