The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has formally dismissed claims by certain individuals over the ownership of the Ita-Nmo market land, declaring such assertions "null and void."

In a clarifying statement released on Friday through his Personal Assistant, Dr. Muritala Raheem, and Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the monarch emphasised that the history of the land acquisition is documented and devoid of any ambiguity.

According to the Emir, the land was voluntarily handed over by its rightful owner, the late Waziri of Ilorin, Oloye (Dr.) Abubakar Olusola Saraki. The donation was specifically intended to facilitate the peaceful relocation of traders from the Agor market to a more suitable location.

Following this donation, the Emir formally transferred the land to the Ilorin West Local Government Area to ensure proper administrative oversight and development. The statement recalled that nearly twenty years ago, the then-Chairman of the local government, Hon. Muhammad Toyin Sanusi, proposed developing a modern market complex on the site. This move was part of a broader urban renewal strategy to decongest the Oja-Oba area and provide better commercial facilities for the community.

The Emir's intervention aims to put an end to the lingering disputes and reaffirm that the land remains a public asset dedicated to the economic enhancement of Ilorin.

"In the process of implementing the proposed market complex, the need arose to temporarily relocate traders operating within the old Agor Market to prevent disruption of their livelihoods during construction and redevelopment. Alhaji Sanusi made consultations when the marketers trooped to Emir's palace to seek support of the traditional institution of Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.

"In response to the marketers' outcry, the Emir of Ilorin, as the paramount traditional ruler and custodian of communal interests within the Ilorin Emirate, intervened and appealed for the availability of land at Ita-Nmo area to accommodate the affected traders in the interest of peace, commerce, and social stability."

It added that, "Following this appeal, in his usual philanthropy and patriotic nature, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki made land available at the Ita-Nmo area of Ubandawaki Ward for Emir of Ilorin, specifically for the purpose of resettling traders displaced from the original Agor Market due to the proposed market complex.

"The Emir of Ilorin thereafter attained the land and formally handed it over to the Ilorin West Local Government authority, clearly designating it for public market use to serve the relocated traders and the wider community.

"To further affirm this process, the Emir personally visited the Ita-Nmo site, underscoring the traditional and communal authority backing the handover and ensuring that the land was properly designated for its intended public purpose through the Ilorin West Local Government.

"Upon the handover, the then Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government constituted a powerful committee, duly recognized to oversee the establishment, management, and orderly development of the new market at Agor of Oja-Oba, Ilorin with the mandate of ensuring transparent allocation of stalls and trading spaces to eligible traders relocated from Agor Market, in line with fairness, administrative guidelines, and the collective interest of the trading community.

"Over the years, the Ilorin West then did the allocation of land space to the marketers after the completion of the parameter fence. However, the land has been used openly and continuously as a public market, with traders conducting legitimate commercial activities under the understanding that the site was designated for public use through traditional authority engagement and administrative approval.

While condemning the recent uproar over ownership of the land as unwarranted and inappropriate, the statement urged any family member who may wish to claim ownership of the land to be properly guided by the historic narrations surrounding the handing over and acquisition of land in line with the need of constituted authorities for public use to promote social harmony and economic stability.