Cheers Erupt at Mapo Hall as Aduke and Abeo End Long-Standing Iyaloja Dispute

It was a moment of celebration at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, as Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje and Princess Afolashade Abeo Nurudeen reconciled and ended their long-standing leadership dispute.

The reconciliation happened during the 25th Anniversary Celebration, Installation, and Awards Ceremony of the Ibadan South East Market Traders Association. The event was not a peace meeting. Both leaders attended as invited guests, and the atmosphere of unity provided the opening to set their differences aside.

The development comes exactly two years after the Oyo State Government directed both women to stop parading themselves as Iyaloja-General of Oyo State pending a final resolution of the market leadership crisis.

Their public show of unity sparked excitement among traders, market leaders, and guests. Many described it as historic and symbolic for the market community.

Market leaders at the event commended the maturity and statesmanship shown by both Alhaja Aduke and Princess Abeo. They said the decision to embrace peace was a victory for all traders, not for any individual.

Speakers expressed optimism that the reconciliation would foster stronger collaboration among market leaders and support growth and prosperity in markets across Oyo State.

For many in attendance, what started as a celebration of the Ibadan South East Market Traders Association’s 25th anniversary ended with an unexpected but welcome message of peace, unity, and renewed hope for Oyo State’s market community.