Kwara South Kara Market Closure Sparks Power Tussle As LG Chairmen Bow To Pressure From Traditional Rulers
Barely days after ordering the closure of all Kara (cattle) markets in Kwara South over security concerns, local government chairmen in the region have backtracked, announcing a review of the ban following stiff opposition from traditional rulers led by the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ismail Yahaya Muhammad Atoloye Alebiosu.
The U-turn came after a heated closed-door meeting held at the Olupo’s palace, where the Forum of Seven Local Government Chairmen and prominent traditional rulers agreed that all markets in Kwara South will now operate between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on every market day.
The move has fueled speculation of a growing rift between elected local government officials and traditional institutions over control of community affairs. Critics say the sudden reversal exposes the lack of coordination in governance, while others see it as a victory for the monarchs who resisted what they described as a reckless and undemocratic order.
Few hours, the Ajase-Ipo Descendants Union (ADU), acting under the directive of the Olupo, openly defied the LG chairmen by insisting Kara Market in Ajase-Ipo would continue to operate. The Union condemned the closure order as a fundamental breach of protocol and warned the chairmen against acting like “military administrators.”
The meeting was attended by the Executive Chairmen of Ifelodun, Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke-Ero Local Governments, while their counterparts from Offa and Oyun joined online. Also present were top monarchs, including the Olosi of Osi, the Olupako of Share, the Alofa of Ilofa, the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, and the Onira of Ira, who represented the Elerin of Erin-Ile.
However, the absence of some other prominent monarchs in Kwara South including the Onijagbo of Ijagbo, the Oloro of Oro, the Elemona of Ilemona, and the Olomu of Omu-Aran at the meeting has raised fresh questions. Observers are asking whether their non-participation signals disagreement with the resolutions reached or a wider division among traditional rulers in the senatorial district.
Although both parties issued a joint communiqué praising Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his “proactive leadership,” analysts argue that the episode has exposed deep cracks in local governance and raised questions about who truly wields authority in Kwara South.
The communiqué was signed by the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, HRM Oba Ismail Yahaya Muhammad Atoloye Alebiosu, for the traditional rulers, and Hon. Benjamin Lanre Jolayemi, the Executive Chairman of Isin Local Government, on behalf of the LG chairmen.
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