Lilian Ify Chukwu
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The feud between Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi and leaders of the Igbo community has taken another dimension as the traditional ruler has banned the title of ‘Eze Ndi Igbo’ in Akureland.
The monarch who swept the carpet off the feet of the Igbo leader in Akure, Mr. Gregory Iloehike also ordered that the title they will henceforth bear should be reviewed while they should come up with a non-controversial honorary title.
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.
Deji also insisted that the dethroned Eze must apologise for his unruly behaviour. The monarch ordered him to write a letter of apology to the monarch and the Deji-in-Council.
Igbos leader has been directed to 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, Punch 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 according to Punch.
