Traders in Oyo State, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANT), have raised alarm over what they describe as victimization and conspiracy against their members.
The Association claims that the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, in collaboration with Alhaja Y. K. Abass, has orchestrated efforts to marginalize their members, particularly in the distribution of Federal Government palliatives meant to alleviate the economic hardship caused by alleged recent policies.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, Chief (Mrs.) Odunayo Danjuma, the NANT Chairperson for Oyo State and the Southwest Coordinator for NANT, expressed deep concern over the actions of the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives.
She accused the commissioner of conspiring with Alhaja Y. K. Abass to deny NANT members access to palliatives distributed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“This conspiracy against our members is not only senseless but also wicked and inhumane,” Danjuma stated emphatically.
“The Federal Government sent these palliatives through NEMA to cushion the effects of the economic hardship on the citizens. It is beyond comprehension why our members would be excluded simply because we refuse to recognize Alhaji Y. K. Abass as the Babaloja-General of Oyo State.”
She further questioned the rationale behind linking the rejection of Alhaji Y. K. Abass to the distribution of the palliatives.
“What does our non-acceptance of Y. K. Abass have to do with the fair distribution of palliatives? NANT members contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Oyo State and Nigeria at large. We are equally affected by the economic situation, just like every other Nigerian,” Danjuma added.
Danjuma also criticized the state government for what she described as the imposition of an unpopular leader on millions of traders in the state.
“Traders have already elected and inaugurated their Babaloja-General, Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh, at House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan on 22nd of August, 2020. NANT members are not traitors; we stand by the collective and unbiased decision of millions of traders. Y. K. Abass’s dubious manipulation of government instruments to obtain illegal recognition does not reflect the true choice of the traders.”
The NANT Chairperson alleged that palliatives intended for their members were instead handed over to an unknown woman and Ademola Adebayo, a dismissed member of NANT.
“Our association is duly registered with the Oyo State government, and we dutifully pay our taxes and rates. We will not be intimidated by anyone,” Danjuma declared.
“We played a significant role in the electoral victory of this administration, and we continue to support its success. It would be unfair for Governor Seyi Makinde to allow certain individuals to humiliate and oppress the very traders who stood by him.”
Danjuma also demanded transparency from the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, challenging him to publicly disclose the identities of those involved in the alleged conspiracy.
“I challenge the commissioner to tell the public the positions held by those he conspired with Y. K. Abass to hand over 3 bags of gari and 15 bags of corn that rightfully belong to NANT members. It is clear that none of our executive members were present when this illegality occurred,” she insisted.
She emphasized that NANT has representation across all 33 local government councils in Oyo State, ensuring that the association’s interests are well-represented at the state level.
“The dividends of democracy must be evenly distributed. We are all bona fide citizens of Nigeria, and we are all affected by the petrol subsidy removal. We demand to know who received our palliatives, who authorized their handover to unauthorized persons, and to whom they were distributed.”
Danjuma concluded by advising Governor Seyi Makinde to rectify the mistakes made by his lieutenants, who wrongly advised him to issue a certificate of recognition to Y. K. Abass as Babaloja-General of Oyo State.
“It’s never too late to reverse the wrong decision made by the government. Y. K. Abass is a flawed candidate, no matter how he is packaged or presented. Traders in Oyo State will never consider him as their authentic leader. He lacks the prerequisites and charisma needed for the role, and his association with the administration only tarnishes the reputation that Governor Makinde has worked so hard to build.”
She further appealed to the governor to ensure the return of the 3 bags of gari and 15 bags of corn that belong to NANT.
“Governor Makinde has done commendably well in areas like the prompt payment of government workers’ salaries and the provision of social amenities, which have had direct and positive impacts on our businesses. However, he must remain vigilant to prevent those who seek to tarnish his administration’s good name, both from within and outside,” Danjuma advised.
