Alapata Leadership Dispute Ends in Six-Month Extension Amid Protest

A leadership crisis involving the Alapata, or butchers’ association, in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, has led to a three-day strike over a dispute concerning the tenure of the association’s chairman. Although the chairman’s four-year tenure has expired, he has insisted on staying in office for another six months, a position reportedly backed by the local government.

Speaking outside the meeting venue, a member of the association, Muftau Adaran, said the dispute also centred on the association’s operational arrangements. He alleged that the chairman had failed to adequately account for his activities and described his continued leadership as uncomfortable for members.

Adaran also alleged that the local government had previously stayed out of the affairs of the Alapata association but intervened in the current dispute by supporting the chairman’s proposed six-month extension. He said the strike had resulted in financial losses for the butchers and inconvenienced their customers, while members maintained that the outgoing chairman should hand over to a caretaker committee pending the conduct of a fresh election.

The dispute was later discussed at a meeting held at the Orimolusi Palace in Ijebu-Igbo. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including three former local government chairmen, the incumbent local government chairman, Senator Kaka, the Director of the Department of State Services, representatives of various towns and the Secretary to the Local Government, among others.

During the meeting, stakeholders established that the four-year tenure provision could not be regarded as fully binding because the association’s constitution had not been formally signed and stamped. This prompted the stakeholders to seek a compromise that would resolve the leadership dispute.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders agreed that the incumbent Alapata chairman would remain in office for another six months, after which he would vacate the position. However, members of the association reportedly rejected the decision, leaving the meeting venue amid anger and loud protests.

The development means that despite the agreement reached by the stakeholders, the leadership crisis remains unresolved among members who opposed the six-month extension.

Leadership Dispute Emerges Over Iru Ekun Commandant Position

A leadership disagreement has emerged within the Iru Ekun Security Organisation in Ijebu North, Ogun State, following differing claims over who should occupy the position of Commandant, the head of the organisation.

One of the groups involved said Comrade Ilerioluwa Adekoya initiated the idea of establishing Iru Ekun and was supported by his colleague, Mrs Success Balogun, popularly known as Iron Lady. The group argued that their contributions to the establishment of the organisation should be taken into consideration in choosing its Commandant.

Another group, represented by Comrade Mukaila Asebebe, Comrade Idowu Ayodele, popularly known as Olori Odo, Comrade Akeem Salisu and Comrade Olusegun Dada, also stated its position on the leadership issue. The group said its members had several years of experience in security activities, while Iru Ekun was established more recently.

The group further stated that stakeholders and prominent dignitaries involved in the selection process chose Comrade Idowu Ayodele, also known as Olori Odo, as Commandant. It said his long-standing involvement in security activities in Ijebu-Igbo, good conduct and commitment to security were among the factors considered.

The dispute has therefore focused on competing claims over who has the right to lead the Iru Ekun Security Organisation. While one side points to its role in initiating the organisation, the other relies on its experience in community security work. Stakeholders are expected to resolve the disagreement and determine the leadership of the organisation.