All shops occupied by Igbo people at the Moferere Market, Akure have closed down as the face-off between the Monarch, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, and the leader of the Igbo community in the town, Mr. Gregory Iloehike rages on. This is even as the monarch has outlawed the title of Eze Ndi Igbo in Akureland.
The Deji is believed to have also ordered the title to be reviewed as ne of the conditions to end the crisis and also to allow Igbo traders the freedom to continue operating their businesses in the community.
The Akure council of traditional rulers dethroned the Igbo leader last week and stopped his followers from operating their businesses following an alleged rude behaviour by Iloehike to the Akure paramount ruler at the Deji’s palace during the Igbo leader’s meeting with Oba Aladelusi.
Oba Aladelusi also asked the dethroned Eze to apologise for his unruly behavior in at least three national dailies as well as go on air to also tender an 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.
It was learnt that the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, met with the two leaders separately on Tuesday evening at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, when he 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 backing for such attitude.
Mimiko, however, thanked the youths of the town, praising them for their maturity and peaceful disposition towards the matter.
The traditional ruler insisted that before the matter is resolved the Igbo must meet all the conditions. [myad]
