Ethnic War Brewing Between Yoruba. Igbo in Akure; Police Summons Eze Ndigbo
Ethnic crisis is brewing between indigenes of Akure, the Ondo State capital and Igbo traders in the ancient town.
Already, a cold war has broken out between the traditional ruler of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and the Eze Ndigbo, Mr. Gregory Iloehika, over some alleged uncomplimentary remarks by the latter.
The Akure Council of Chiefs, that had reported the Eze Ndigbo to the state government and the police command, alleged that the leader of the Igbos dis-respected the stool of the Deji of Akureland.
According to findings, the state government and the state Police Commissioner, Mike Ogudu, had separately invited Iloehika to get explanation on the matter.
THISDAY gathered that the Eze was invited by the Deji of Akureland over leadership tussle between the Igbos and Yoruba in Mojere market in Akure metropolis and the beating of some chiefs sent by the Oba to mediate in the crisis.
The Eze Ndigbo was said to have uttered some rude remarks while addressing the Deji and some aides to the Oba were said to have walked him out of the palace.
He was alleged to have been manhandled and questioned why he was equating himself to a traditional ruler.
Consequently, the Igbos in the town in support of their leaders, closed their shops for three days to protest the treatment meted out on their leader.
But the spokesman of the Akure Council of Chief, who is the Asamo of
Akureland, Chief Rotimi Olusanya, weekend in a statement, appealed to
all indigenes and residents of the town to go about their lawful duties.
Olusanya advised the traders to open their shops and market their wares.
According to him, “Akure is reputed to be peaceful, law-abiding and accommodating. We will continue to allow integration of all Nigerians but we will not allow anyone to degrade nor trample upon our tradition and institutions.
“The Deji of Akure is the only paramount Oba in Akure kingdom all indigenes and inhabitants in Akureland are his subjects.
“That Akure people are peace-loving and promoters of good and cordial relationship among all Nigerian residents in our fatherland. We do not discriminate between indigenes and visitors in Akure.
“That the recent incidence with the Eze Ndigbo, Iloehika, was as a result of high disregard for Akure people and our Kabiyesi by Iloehika.
Iloehika, had been invited on Sunday, October 11, 2015 as an Igbo elder to intervene in the crisis brewing among traders at Mojere Market wherein the Igbo marketers were accused to have acted in contravention of the rules guiding all occupiers of the market.
Olusanya said the Eze Ndigbo “uttered some uncomplimentary words such as ‘your people caused the problem,’ ‘King Solomon had advisers, I can only advise you and if you like it you take it and if you don’t like it you don’t take it’.”
He said the Igbo leader was also while addressing the Oba “was busy taking calls on his cell phone while speaking with Kabiyesi. This the Akure people and kabiyesi considered as an affront.
Reacting to the development, an Igbo leader, Emma George of the Centre for the Defence of Igbo, said that the matter would soon be resolved.
George said that talks were in progress to settle the misunderstanding.
The Akure Council of Chiefs, that had reported the Eze Ndigbo to the state government and the police command, alleged that the leader of the Igbos dis-respected the stool of the Deji of Akureland.
According to findings, the state government and the state Police Commissioner, Mike Ogudu, had separately invited Iloehika to get explanation on the matter.
THISDAY gathered that the Eze was invited by the Deji of Akureland over leadership tussle between the Igbos and Yoruba in Mojere market in Akure metropolis and the beating of some chiefs sent by the Oba to mediate in the crisis.
The Eze Ndigbo was said to have uttered some rude remarks while addressing the Deji and some aides to the Oba were said to have walked him out of the palace.
He was alleged to have been manhandled and questioned why he was equating himself to a traditional ruler.
Consequently, the Igbos in the town in support of their leaders, closed their shops for three days to protest the treatment meted out on their leader.
Olusanya advised the traders to open their shops and market their wares.
According to him, “Akure is reputed to be peaceful, law-abiding and accommodating. We will continue to allow integration of all Nigerians but we will not allow anyone to degrade nor trample upon our tradition and institutions.
“The Deji of Akure is the only paramount Oba in Akure kingdom all indigenes and inhabitants in Akureland are his subjects.
“That Akure people are peace-loving and promoters of good and cordial relationship among all Nigerian residents in our fatherland. We do not discriminate between indigenes and visitors in Akure.
“That the recent incidence with the Eze Ndigbo, Iloehika, was as a result of high disregard for Akure people and our Kabiyesi by Iloehika.
Iloehika, had been invited on Sunday, October 11, 2015 as an Igbo elder to intervene in the crisis brewing among traders at Mojere Market wherein the Igbo marketers were accused to have acted in contravention of the rules guiding all occupiers of the market.
Olusanya said the Eze Ndigbo “uttered some uncomplimentary words such as ‘your people caused the problem,’ ‘King Solomon had advisers, I can only advise you and if you like it you take it and if you don’t like it you don’t take it’.”
He said the Igbo leader was also while addressing the Oba “was busy taking calls on his cell phone while speaking with Kabiyesi. This the Akure people and kabiyesi considered as an affront.
Reacting to the development, an Igbo leader, Emma George of the Centre for the Defence of Igbo, said that the matter would soon be resolved.
George said that talks were in progress to settle the misunderstanding.
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