Oyo Govt Defends Market Leadership Process,Denies Interference

The Oyo State Government has strongly refuted claims of undue interference in the selection and administration of market leadership in the state, clarifying that its actions have always been guided by law, judicial precedents, and the principle of due process.

​A statement issued on Saturday, May 30, 2026, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Mr. Olajide Mamud Okesade, addressed a recent publication titled “Steer Clear of Traders Affairs, Groups Tell Oyo Government, Trade Commissioner.” The government described the publication as misleading and aimed at distorting facts regarding the emergence of the Babaloja-General-in-Council.

​Grounded in Judicial Precedent

​According to the statement, the current leadership structure emerged following a June 17, 2022, judgment by Hon. Justice K.B. Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court. The ruling nullified a previous disputed arrangement and explicitly affirmed that the authority to select the Babaloja-General rests solely with traders through the recognized Market Leaders’ Council.

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​Following legal clarification from the Ministry of Justice confirming that no stakeholder was disqualified from participating in a fresh process, the Market Leaders’ Council conducted a transparent selection exercise.

​”The process culminated in a formal selection exercise in which eight out of twelve members voted in favour of Alhaji (Chief) Yekini Abass Oladapo as Babaloja-General of Oyo State,” Okesade stated. This outcome was subsequently ratified by Governor Seyi Makinde, who issued a Certificate of Recognition in November 2022.

​Facilitative, Not Dictatorial

​The Ministry emphasized that its involvement in market affairs remains purely administrative, supervisory, and facilitative, rather than interventionist.

​To ensure inclusive governance, the state government approved a statewide sensitization and consultation tour across all 33 Local Government Areas, requested by the Office of the Babaloja-General. Designated government officials accompanied the delegation strictly as observers to ensure transparency and professionalism.

​A subsequent request for continued market consultations, dated November 28, 2025, was similarly approved under strict administrative oversight to maintain harmony within the informal sector.

​Commitment to Due Process

​The government categorically denied imposing any candidate on the traders, maintaining that the narrative of official high-handedness or interference by the Trade Commissioner is entirely false.

​”The role of Government has remained strictly administrative, facilitative, and anchored on respect for judicial authority, statutory provisions, and due process,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to sustaining peace, stability, and orderly governance within Oyo State’s market associations.