By Patrick Idowu
The Young Progressives Party (YPP), chairmanship candidate for Saturday’s election in Abaji Area Council, Alhaji Muhammad Angulu Loko, has said area councils have no business appointing leaders of markets and cattle markets.
Loko said such appointments should be the responsibility of the Ona of Abaji, HRM Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, and other paramount rulers within the area councils.
He made the statement during a visit to the Ona’s palace to seek the monarch’s blessing ahead of the polls, noting that council interference in market leadership appointments has fueled persistent crises in the Abaji main market and cattle market.
“If given the mandate, my administration will not interfere. The palace will be allowed to choose whoever it wants to lead the two markets,” he said.
Loko also promised scholarships for students in tertiary institutions and pledged to address water scarcity in the council.
Responding, the Agbo of Abaji, Shuaibu Ozi Umoru, who spoke on behalf of the monarch, urged politicians to avoid hatred and maintain peaceful relationships, stressing that the palace remains neutral in the election.
