IGBOS CLASH IN AKURE

The feud resulting from a recent clash between the youths in Akure, Ondo state, and the Igbos over an alleged insult of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo continued on Wednesday, October 14, as shop owners refused to open for business.

Deji of Akure
The Akure youths alleged that the Igbos had refused to obey the instruction given by the monarch.

However, according to our sources the youths were furious over the manner the Eze-ndigbo of Akure, Gregory Iloehike, allegedly addressed the Deji in his palace when he (Iloehike) was uncalled for

Reports disclosed that the monarch had already upset over the instatement of an Igbo as a chairman of a market in Akure noting that it was a taboo for an Igbo man to rule over a market in the Ondo state capital.

Daily Post reports that the Akure monarch on that note, immediately summoned Iloehike but that to his surprise, the Eze-ndigbo wore his crown to the Deji’s palace, an action said to be against the tradition of Akure.

The youths and some chiefs present at the palace were said to have been angry by Iloehike’s attitude and responses to allegations leveled against him and therefore ordered him to remove his crown.

Subsequently, the Igbo residents in Akure sparked off on hearing that the monarch had suspended the Eze-ndigbo.

The Igbos eventually resorted to not opening their businesses as a form of protest against the suspension of Iloehike since the order they gave the monarch to recant the suspension proved abortive.

They however warned the Akure monarch against his plan to dethrone the Eze-ndigbo insisting that the traditional ruler had no power to dethrone Iloehike.

In his explanation, the embattled Eze Ndigbo said that he had not been rude to the Deji of Akure since he ascended the throne about six months ago, adding that he contributed immensely to the installation of the monarch.

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He said: “The Deji called me around 8.48pm last Sunday inviting me to his palace and I honoured his invitation on Monday morning. I went with one of my chiefs, but when I got to the palace, I saw youths numbering over 200 who started shouting as I entered. I suspected that the youths were mobilized by the monarch and I showed respect to the Deji by prostrating for him.

“The monarch while addressing me at his palace threatened to drive all the Igbos in Akure out of the city and when I asked for the offence my people committed, the youths at the palace descended on me. They tore my beads and removed my crown. They attempted to beat me but the police officers at the palace rescued me.”

Iloehike added that the invitation by the monarch was the first he would receive from him since the monarch ascended the throne.

He pointed out that the Igbo residents in Akure had been living harmoniously with the people of Akure for over 70 years without friction with the natives.