The Deji of Akure, Oba
Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, has banned the title of ‘Eze Ndi Igbo’ in
Akureland and ordered it to be reviewed and replaced with a non-controversial
honorary title.
This is one of the
conditions given by the monarch to end the crisis between him and the leader of
the Igbo community in the town, Mr. Gregory Iloehike. The monarch said the
condition must be met before Igbo traders in the area would be allowed to
continue operating their businesses in the community.
The traditional ruler
dethroned the Igbo leader last week and stopped his men from opening their
shops following an alleged rude behaviour against the traditional ruler at his
palace by the Igbo leader during a meeting with Oba Aladelusi.
Some other conditions
included that the dethroned Eze must apologise for his behaviour, said to be
unruly in at least three national dailies as well as go to broadcast stations
to also tender an unreserved apology. He was also ordered to write a letter of
apology to the monarch and the Deji-in-Council.
Oba Adelusi also
directed that the Igbo leader should stop wearing any form of crown and must
comply with all the directives of the palace.
To this end, the state
Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, met with the two leaders separately on Tuesday
evening at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, and reportedly pleaded with
the Akure traditional ruler to forgive the embattled Igbo leader.
At the meeting, it was
gathered that the governor maintained that the Igbo leader could not go against
the tradition and custom of the land, as there was no basis or constitutional
back up for such attitude.
The governor, however,
thanked the youths of the town, praising them for their maturity and peaceful
disposition towards the matter.
The traditional ruler
maintained that a truce can then be brokered once the conditions were met.
As a result of the
crisis, all shops occupied by Igbo people at the Moferere Market, Akure,
remained closed as of the time of filing this report on Wednesday.
-Punch
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