The Iyaloja General, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo is alleged to have been the force behind leadership dispute at Iponri Market in Surulere local government of Lagos State.

It was gathered that some armed policemen had invaded the market on Wednesday to give protection to a faction planning to install a new Iyaloja of the market.

The incumbent, Alhaja Mulikat Ajaga, speaking with journalists on Friday, however, insisted that she remains the leader of the market, regardless of some forces against her.

She said the late Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji installed her with a certificate of authority and later appointed Tinubu-Ojo to lead a committee to resolve a crisis in the market.

“What she told me was to step aside and allow the committee to coordinate things in the market till peace would return. I stepped aside with an understanding that the committee would work for three months. But three months passed, there was nothing. Eight months also passed with series of provocation, but I kept quiet to allow peace,” Ajaga said.

Ajaga described the recent activities of one Mrs. S. B. Badmus and her group as rebellious capable of causing disaffection amongst traders and, thus, throwing the market into further crisis.

“When one iyaloja is still alive, you don’t put another one there. It is just like a king. It was the demise of the late Mogaji led to the installation of the current Iyaloja. And as a true Lagosian from the Oloto clan, I cannot and will not allow some people to mess up the market,” she said.

While appealing to traders in the market to remain calm, Ajaga also called on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Lagos State government to intervene in the matter.

•Photo shows Tinubu-Ojo.

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