Ihuomadinihu: The Lands were bought and paid for. Igbos in Akure don't owe Akure a dime and don't need to bow under any authority apart from maintaining communal peace which they have always done. As for the crown,a simple instruction at the gate would have gone a long way. Why was he allowed to pass certain pathways without teaching him about the codes and conducts of a Yoruba palace on the spot? Before one goes to meet an authority,he is lectured on how to comport himself. Why was he not taught? I'm not gonna pretend like this fracas was not premeditated and put into action at the slightest mistake. The way you issue out irrelevant threats simply reveal the mind of the average Yoruba man.
You would either learn the easy way or the hard way. Ask the Eze why he insisted on wearing his "crown" for a second time, after being admonished by palace Chiefs who explained that such actions amounted to a taboo in Akure.
The dethronement of the Ohaneze Ndigbo by Deji of Akure. the ibo people turn out en mass to protest the decision of the Oba of Akure.
After the current administration was inaugurated – before Pres. Muhammadu Buhari had made any appointments or even moved to Aso Rock which was undergoing renovation – the president held a series of meeting with the then service chiefs. Some confidantes of the President like minister-to-be Abdulrahman Dambazau and Customs Boss Hameed Ali, were present at those two meetings but vice president Yemi Osinbajo wasn’t.
Osinbajo’s absence led to rumours and even blog stories that the President was deliberately sidelining the Vice president for a number of reasons including his religion and the fact that – according to the stories – Osinbajo was loyal to Buhari.
Those stories are harder to come by these days, mainly because of the volume of responsibilities which Buhari now forwards to his vice president. Every now and then reports come all the same, like the famous story about the Osinbajo and El-Rufai clash which the presidency continues to deny to this day, but in all there is less talk about Osinbajo being sidelined and the photos below are part of the reason why.
Osinbajo is now a regular at those meetings which he was not a part of at the beginning. Today he was with the president at a meeting with the service chiefs. The meeting is coming in the wake of the recent suicide attacks in the North East which have led to the loss of scores of lives in recent weeks.
omenka: Oga, this is absolutely unnecessary. Those who were directly affected are trying to make peace- don't you think that is worthy of commendation instead of mocking them
I agree with you here. The unrestrained triumphalism of commentators who ought to know better, is just as bad as the initial acts of provocation.
onenaira3: If it acts like a savage, walks like a savage and looks like a savage, it is a savage. If the entire neanderthal clan act similar then obviously it's a savage tribe.
Move left savage, I wan see road
See how diplomatic disputes are resolved by saner minds?
Activa: The Igbo in Akure, the Ondo State capital, are trying to reconcile with the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, after a few days of bickering.
The monarch had accused the Eze Ndigbo, Sir Gregory Iloehike, of insubordination and lack of respect for his authority. But Iloehike denied the allegation, saying he couldn’t be arrogant to the tribe that has accommodated his tribe for over many decades ago.
Rising from a special meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo at the palace of the Eze Ndigbo in Akure, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, Chief Okechukwu Okorie, said the Igbo respect the Deji and would not do anything against his wish.
He said the Igbo in the state are peace loving people, adding that the Ohaneze Ndigbo has started reconciliatory moves with the Deji and palace chiefs to ensure peaceful and harmonious co-existence between the Yoruba and Igbo in the town.
The group described the relationship between the Deji and Igbo as that of a father and his children, noting that the monarch remains the father to all. He said: “The Igbo are law abiding and we remain good subjects of the Deji of Akure. We can never warn the Deji on any issue, rather he is in position to warn us.
“The Deji is our father and we are his children. Whatever he wants is our wish and we shall continue to obey his directives.” Okorie, who hinted that the Igbo leaders have decided to reconcile with the Deji, informed that efforts are on top gear to reach out to the traditional ruler.
He urged the monarch to forgive those who might have offended him, adding that the Igbo would continue to maintain the peace for which Akure is known for.
The CCT has actually not been constrained at all - if anything, it was Saraki's plea for a stay of execution which has now been left hanging
Judgement In Saraki’s Appeal Adjourned Indefinitely
October 19, 2015
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s appeal against the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Bureau has been adjourned indefinitely at the Appeal Court in Abuja.
Dhugal: How did conferring traditional title of iyaloja equate to the elected leadership of any particular market?.Being smart by half,are you?. Tis like saying women organizations in whatever yoruba domain shouldn't have their own leaders,afterall every yoruba fiefdom has an appointed iyalode to lead the women. Let me know when you're done twisting yourself in a pretzel trying to come up with a justification for the idiocy past displayed.
What don't you take your disgruntlement to court?
According to the Monarch, all markets, no matter how modernised, are traditional markets and it is only the palace of Deji that has the responsibilities of installing leadership in the market, including the Iyaloja General.
wisdomguy4u: The oba of akure is suffering from acute Inferiority complex. Nobody is dragging Oba throne with him . If the Eze ndi igbo is truly disrespectful to the Oba, why then did he honour the Oba's invitation. Eze ndi Igbo is simply the elected leader of Igbo pple living in akure, how does his position challenge the position of the Oba of akure? The Oba behaved like a common street tout
Like Oba of akure, most yoruba youth are suffering from acute inferiority complex. That's why they demand for respect rather than work hard to earn it...
Before wadding into matters that are above your pay-grade, why don't you familiarise yourself with how things are suppose to run in Akure? Why do you insist on travelling up the creek without a paddle?
Deji of Akure to Mimiko: You have no right to appoint Markets’ Leader
The Deji of Akure, the Ondo State capital, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, today warned the government against dabbling into installation of traditional titles which fall under the purview of traditional rulers.
The Monarch gave the warning at the inauguration of the Caring Heart Shopping Mall, popularly known as NEPA Market, which has 244 shops with other modern amenities, including two solar power boreholes, toilets, banking halls and asphalt landscaping.
According to the Monarch, all markets, no matter how modernised, are traditional markets and it is only the palace of Deji that has the responsibilities of installing leadership in the market, including the Iyaloja General.
“It is only Deji ‘sPalace that can install Iyaloja and not the government. I do not want the government to dabble into this area. I am warning now that nobody should bring any Non Governmental Organisation to cause trouble in Akure markets.
“Nobody can be installed Iyaloja ,except Deji approves such appointment. Therefore, nobody should disguise under any NGO to parade himself as Iyaloja General or whatever name. Mrs Juliana Ogunsusi remained the Iyaloja”, he said.
Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Tuesday, warned against short changing market women in the allocation of markets being built by the state government across the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of Caring Heart Shopping Mall in Akure, which comprises 244 shops and modern facilities, he warned those in charge of allocation of the shops to consider first the original occupiers of the shops in the market before it was reconstructed.
The governor said the project, like many other markets’ redevelopment and reconstruction projects across the state, was envisioned to improve the state’s general business environment and by effect, the economic empowerment prospects of the traders.
Mimiko said government would continue to implement programmes and policies that would aid te development of economic activities in the state.
He, however, charged the traders to see themselves as good custodians of public facility saying “I urge you to guard against vandalism, misuse and uncleanliness.”
“You must also pay up your rent as at when due so that this market can be self-sustaining in terms of security, waste management and other associated services.”
He warned that government would not tolerate subletting of shops in the market, warning that government would revoke allocation of any person that turned himself to landlord in the market as allocationwould be done strictly for users.
Addressing the gathering, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, on Tuesday, warned the state government against dabbling into appointment and installation of traditional titles in markets, saying such fell under the purview of the traditional ruler.
According to the traditional ruler, all markets, no matter how modern, were traditional markets and it was only the palace of the Deji that had the responsibilities of installing leadership in the market, including the Iyaloja General.
“It is only the Deji’s palace that can install Iyaloja in all Akure markets and not the government. I do not want the government to dabble into this area. I am warning now that nobody should bring any non-Governor Olusegun Mimiko governmental organisation to cause trouble in Akure markets.
“Nobody can be installed Iyaloja except the Deji approves such appointment. Therefore nobody should disguise under any NGO to parade himself or herself as Iyaloja General or whatever name. Mrs Juliana Ogunsusi remained the Iyaloja.”
Edwin Clark, Okonjo-Iweala, Oduah, Akpabio And The Wailing Wailers By Peter Claver Oparah
OCT 15, 2015
For those who have sentenced themselves to inconsolable wailing since President Buhari and APC defeated former President Jonathan and the PDP in the epic, March 28 presidential election, the last few weeks were like weeks of second death. For those who have embraced witless and headless opposition to every action taken thus far by President Buhari to mend the ship-wrecked Nigerian state that was writhing on the throes of death before March 28, as a way of advertising their anger and shock for that epochal defeat, the spate of recant their apex leaders in the fight to sustain the Jonathan regime did last week added to the open sores of March 28. For those who have become popularly known in the Nigerian media as the Wailing Wailers, the shock is so comprehensive that they have become suddenly speechless.
First was the Godfather of former President Jonathan who could pass for the patron saint of PDP, Edwin Clark. He was the lodestar for the battle to re-elect Jonathan and was a clearing house of sorts to the converging tendencies that coalesced to sustain Jonathan in power after what was generally seen as a dismal six years in power. For the re-election of Jonathan, Edwin Clark fretted and threatened with so much force that nothing and nobody, not even former President Obasanjo was spared of his bile. He fell short of levying war against whosoever never saw the wisdom in voting Jonathan in March and he was privy to gathering a motley crowd of elderly PDP sympathizers in the South to form a Southern Elders Forum that unabashedly campaigned for Jonathan and the PDP.
But it was another Edwin Clark who, last week not only disclaimed the PDP but threw wholehearted support for President Buhari especially in his war against corruption. Clark not only dismissed the charge of selective prosecution of the anti corruption war, which the hirelings of the PDP has made their daily catena but fell short of describing his godson, Jonathan as a derelict that has no guts to fight corruption. Were the rabid anti-Buharists shocked? No, they were shellacked! They were beaten flat for here is their godfather, a general of the battle they are prolonging by their syndicated hysteria, throwing them so pitiably under the bus and also damning the man for whom they have so exerted themselves to support. It was a red day for the Wailing Wailers.
If there is any woman that fits the feminine equivalent of Edwin Clark in the order of reverence by the Wailing Wailers, it was the immediate past Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the economy under Jonathan. Even when most Nigerians feel this woman's long stay as our economic manager rubbed off very negatively in the lives of Nigerians, the Jonathanians and PDP apologists; in fact the a wailing Wailers, deify her as the next best thing God imbued on Nigerians after pure water. To them, she is omniscient, beyond sin and reproach. They worship her every footstep and she was dubbed the Prime Minister of the Jonathan regime. Last week, and from nowhere, Okonjo-Iweala was to pour encomiums on President Buhari government like a nubile maiden serenading her newfound lover. She not only praised Buhari's conduct of statecraft but said her decision to work under Jonathan might have been a mistake! She was speaking on September 30 as a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, United States,
Next was Stella Oduah, one of the poster girls of the Jonathan regime who was implicated in a swathe if scandals as Minister of Aviation under Jonathan but who was, nonetheless sponsored by the PDP to emerge senator in Anambra State. In a recent interview, Oduah not only hailed what she called the clear policy direction of the Buhari regime. Her points of excitement were the firm intervention by the Buhari regime that ended the coup in Burkina Faso and the plan of the regime to restore the national carrier.
Then entered Godswill Akpabio, the guy who had an a-rating appearance in all the shenanigans and intrigues launched to ensure PDP remains in perpetual power. If Edwin Clark was the Commander in chief of the futile PDP/Jonathan entrenchment efforts, Akpabio was the Chief of Staff. He was the enforcer of the PDP will amongst PDP members and manned the gate of the party, deciding who entered, who stays and who leaves. He was known to leverage his state's resources to the fight for the re-election of Jonathan, among many other illegal fonts of funding that whetted that ill fated battle. On the day he returned from hospitalization abroad after a road accident in Abuja (many wonder why he did not patronize the so calked world class hospital he lousily boasts of building in Akwa Ibom), this enfant terrible of the Jonathanian PDP was to address his people, given high marks to the Buhari regime's government and policies do far.
For the Wailing Wailers, these are blasphemies issuing forth from the very epicenter of their temple. They are crest fallen. They are heart broken. They are still simmering in great shock that their leaders could so leave them in the lurch; in the scorching sun and bolt. They are devastated that those that led them to am embarrassing position where they have even become embarrassing to themselves, struggling with the truth and his best ways to deface it, have left them so high and dry- on the very crossroads. They are still trying to gather their broken selves together to string rabid responses to these earth-shaking disappointments. Gradually, they are gathering violent words and abuses for Clark, Okonjo-Iweala and Oduah. They are bitter. They are frustrated and they are confused on whom else to follow.
For the avoidance of doubts, I had never been a fan of the four and will never be despite their gallant efforts to admit the truth their marooned followers will like them to hush. God so kind, we have a President who is so indifferent to flattery and humor; a President that can smell jesting and fawning from several miles off, a President that can never ever be found to fund and reward flattery so trying to curry his favor through such curtsying that is implied in the confessions of the pole leaders of the PDP is an effort that in futility But I don't think that in admitting the truth, these and many other PDP leaders that have been wrestling with their consciences since the well-applauded change in the polity happened, were out for favor hunting. Theirs is such relief when after struggling with the truth; you turn around to surrender for no one wins a war against truth.
But in all these, the great pity is the withering club of Wailing Wailers who pose as commissioned newspaper columnists, stranded politicians, errant passengers in public buses, the ready-to-snap lay-about, the ubiquitous Facebook politicians and their ilk who have ran themselves into the uncomfortable position where they are condemned to wail on every move taken by President Buhari. The distraught, desolate, hurting and inconsolable scoffers that have made a life business of scoffing at every move by Buhari to cleanse the stable of rot he inherited on May 28 are the worst hit by the gale of confessions hitting apex leaders of PDP lately. Those that have forged ready-made wailing points on every issue since March 28 because they lost their fonts of corrupt enrichment are the most badly beaten in the ensuing political development that is emerging. They have become distraught and confused orphans that are robbed of their parentage by the battle with truth. They are presently hanging precariously on the very alleyways of our politics as they try feverishly to decipher what has hit their camps so early in the days of a regime that has so inflicted deep gashes on them.
onenaira3: The igbos in akure are way too nice to that savage tribe. Nonsense. When that worthless tribe destroyed Onitsha main bridge with their useless, fake medicine shops while ignoring a 3 years old government request to move to a real market in Onitsha, did Onitsha ppl act like savages? Did Onitsha scream at them to respect their land? When one of their own carried his fat @ss to Enugu and gave out Enugu land to those of them living in Enugu while they demanded for that free land and more free sh1ts in Enugu after the government took it back.. did Enugu ppl act like savages. I swear the Igbo's are too damn nice to that undeveloped neanderthal savages. Igbo should take a lesson from hausa and fulani. Beat the luving sh1t out of them like hausa does in their land or kidnapped and kill them like the fulani does. Infact follow fulani steps and create the second soka forest burial ground. That's the only thing that undeveloped lazy begging savages understand.
Uncultured mongrel, it takes the workings of unhinged mind to tag one of Africa's most recognised ethnic groups as a 'savage tribe'. It is clear that your sojourn in America has, so far, failed to cured your infestation of rabies.
AustineE1: You dont expect anybody to have reverence for a culture that promotes insolence,where by the kingship has been sold to the dogs. In a situation where most of the Obas in Yoruba land are celebrated miscrants or how do you explain away an Oba like the Akiolu in Lagos,Deji of Akure and even the IFe saga where the Ababoaku had to run away for his their life. In all honesty,the Yoruba Obaship system needs total overhauling,it is bringing total disdain and disrespect to the Yoruba nation.
Stick to the theme of this discussion, and you run less of a risk of going off at a tangent. If you have no intention to abide by customary laws which apply to Akure, naff off! Simple.
ichoku: Conflicting infos on this case makes settllement difficult. From the news above we gather that Igbos first beat up the chiefs sent by the oba to mediate. Can this be true?
Make of it what you will.
Then comes the story of an Eze. Worried by his alleged disrespect for his host and apparent disdain for the Akure monarchy, the man had been suspended as the Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Odundun II, whose office had bestowed on him the title in the first instance. What was Iloh’s infraction? A market in the city, which had hitherto enjoyed the leadership of indigenes of the state capital, had succumbed to the subtle but powerful mercantile and commercial power of their Igbo brothers. Before the natives knew what was happening, the Igbo had imposed their suzerainty on the market and were not only determining the leadership of the market but ensuring that natives did not have a say in the affairs of their own market.
Worried by what they tagged native colonialism on their own land, a spat had occurred between some Igbo in the market and the natives. Afraid that this could turn violent, the Deji, one of the most humble kings to have ascended the monarchy in this part of the country, was said to have invited the Igbo leader for a meeting last Saturday through his Iru Okun, the king’s staff of office. The insignia was reportedly seized by some Igbo hirelings of the man, while the Eze did not honour the Kabiyesi’s invitation. Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have invited the man again for another meeting on Monday and the latter stormed the palace wearing his haughtiness and conceit on his sleeves. He was reported to have preened himself in the presence of the Kabiyesi, making calls on his cell phone before him and telling the Deji that even King Solomon in his wisdom could not dare to look down on those who had equal intelligence as him. Disturbed by this ride on a self horse and spit on their king, the chiefs present in the palace had collected his beads. The man reportedly later mobilised some Igbo youth to protest against the monarchy.
IGBOSON1: ^^^They're making up the story as they go along! Grasping for any reason that sounds outrageous enough to try and justify their criminality!
Of course they are cooking up new plots as they go along. After all, in the mind of a simpleton, the acts of defiance listed below can only be mutually exclusive:
wore a cap to the king's palace or he made some uncomplimentary remarks or he was taking calls . everyday you hear a different thing
AustineE1: The yoruba kingship and infantile ranting,why are these Yorubas behaving as if the igbos are colonial masters who have been exploiting their resources unjustly and must be made to leave. This is one Nigeria and the constitution remains supreme,so nobody has right in this context to say he is accomodating any Nigerian,it is the Igbo peoples right to dominate any part of Nigeria they so wish. So deal with it or blame your Awolowo and the rest,for insisting in one Nigeria.
I think the boil has been lanced by clipping the wings of an uncultured and intransigent Eze Ndigbo.
DEJI of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo has accused Igbo residing in the city of alleged insubordination to his authority, just as he accused them of violating the people’s traditions.
Besides, the first-class traditional ruler alleged that the Igbo residing in the city have no respect for him and the culture of the city.
He alleged that Igbo traders in the city often violate the culture and tradition of Akureland while discharging their duties, stressing that efforts to caution them have failed.
Apparently worried by the alleged violation of his order by some Igbo traders in the city, the Deji, who spoke through the Asamo of Akureland, Chief Rotimi Olusanya alleged that the Eze Ndigbo of Ondo state, Sir Gregory Ilehohika recently embarrassed him and some of his chiefs inside his palace.
Reacting, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ondo State, Chief Okechukwu Okorie said the Igbo living in the state are law-abiding and peaceful, adding that the Igbo respect their traditions and those of other tribes.
He said the Igbo leaders who went to the palace of Deji of Akure to honour his invitation were beaten by some irate youths numbering over 200 at the palace.
He said the Deji was being misinformed by some individuals on the activities of Igbo people in Akure and the state at large.
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 un omplimentary 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.
wisdomguy4u: The oba of akure is suffering from acute Inferiority complex. Nobody is dragging Oba throne with him . If the Eze ndi igbo is truly disrespectful to the Oba, why then did he honour the Oba's invitation. The Oba behaved like a common street tout
You would either learn the easy way or the hard way. Ask the Eze why he insisted on wearing his "crown" for a second time, after being admonished by palace Chiefs who explained that such actions amounted to a taboo in Akure.
The dethronement of the Ohaneze Ndigbo by Deji of Akure. the ibo people turn out en mass to protest the decision of the Oba of Akure.
Murderator: . ...2. Wearing a crown to the Deji's palace
Dressing in full royal regalia to a true King's palace is the height of insult. Putting on an ordinary cap in front of a king in his palace is not acceptable not to talk of a crown. Do in rome what romans do. He ought to have seen that no one had even a cap on at the palace. His apologists say he should have been told to off his crown at the gate. An eze who claims his people have spent over 70yrs in Akure ought to know better. He failed to study the traditions of his host. His lord summoned him, only for him to appear as dressed as his lord in his lord's palace. He should have sat on the Deji's throne then.
3. Installing leadership in the king's market
Just cos his igbo people dominate a market owned by the King doesn't mean they have the right to install a leader of their choice. This is not democracy but customary rules which gives the Deji power over the market. There is no room for voting as his will must be done. He and is people claim to have lived in Akure for over 70yrs yet they don't know what is called babaloja and iyaloja.
4. Staging a protest
This is the height of it all- staging a protest cos you were put in your rightful place. Which law in akure recognises an eze ndigbo in akure(an igbo king in akure)? The protest showed he wanted to plunge the city into unrest even after going against the custom and culture of the land. For that, he was dealt with.
In as much as we are still one in thesame country, we shouldn't go about disregarding rules, customs, culture and traditions of wherever we find ourselves.
”The right to freedom is not absolute.It carries responsibility of not to be a nuisance”
- Fashola
Having gone beyond incendiary headlines, to review the circumstances which resulted in the current breakdown of ethnic relations in Akure, I am in complete agreement with you.
With respect to pt #2, I think his transgression was not simply to do with the "crown" he wore but the inauspicious circumstances under which it was worn. Apparently, after being corrected by palace officials who explained that his action was considered a taboo in Akure, he continued with his defiance nonetheless - see Youtube video included below. The following article also speaks to the restless combativeness which seemingly underscored his visit to the palace. You will note that the picture I attached (further below), which was taken from a video on Youtube, shows him sitting alongside the Olowo in his full regalia. No problem there, as it was for a specific festival.
Then comes the story of an Eze. Worried by his alleged disrespect for his host and apparent disdain for the Akure monarchy, the man had been suspended as the Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Odundun II, whose office had bestowed on him the title in the first instance. What was Iloh’s infraction? A market in the city, which had hitherto enjoyed the leadership of indigenes of the state capital, had succumbed to the subtle but powerful mercantile and commercial power of their Igbo brothers. Before the natives knew what was happening, the Igbo had imposed their suzerainty on the market and were not only determining the leadership of the market but ensuring that natives did not have a say in the affairs of their own market.
Worried by what they tagged native colonialism on their own land, a spat had occurred between some Igbo in the market and the natives. Afraid that this could turn violent, the Deji, one of the most humble kings to have ascended the monarchy in this part of the country, was said to have invited the Igbo leader for a meeting last Saturday through his Iru Okun, the king’s staff of office. The insignia was reportedly seized by some Igbo hirelings of the man, while the Eze did not honour the Kabiyesi’s invitation. Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have invited the man again for another meeting on Monday and the latter stormed the palace wearing his haughtiness and conceit on his sleeves. He was reported to have preened himself in the presence of the Kabiyesi, making calls on his cell phone before him and telling the Deji that even King Solomon in his wisdom could not dare to look down on those who had equal intelligence as him. Disturbed by this ride on a self horse and spit on their king, the chiefs present in the palace had collected his beads. The man reportedly later mobilised some Igbo youth to protest against the monarchy.
In my view, your third and fourth points zero-in on what set the current chain of events in motion. Where does this particular Eze Ndigbo derive his authority to decide who the local market leaders should be? In reference to Beremx's post, why aren't his equivalents not appointing market leaders all over Lagos - in a similar act of defiance?
Meet Igbo celeb woman who is Iyaloja of Oluwole market in Lagos
Igbo business woman, Chief (Mrs) Josephine Okeke Onwundiwe is the Iya Oloja of Oluwole Market, Lagos Island. Mrs Onwundiwe, who is from Anambra State was conferred with the Iyaloja title two years ago and was given a Yoruba name Abeni, on her conferment day.
Onwundiwe, born and bred in Lagos State and married to an Easterner of Igbo extraction, led a delegation of market women when she came to represent Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General at the Glo Overload N120 million promo event. City People’s Tessy Moore, who was also at the event got Onwundiwe to talk about her life as an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland. Excerpts.
How do you feel as an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland being an Igbo woman? Oh! I feel great. Being an Iyaloja of Oluwole Market here in Lagos Island is one of the best things that has happened to me. I’m from Anambra State, Udemili Local Government in Ogidi, to be precise. So being an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland is like getting deep into their culture and heritage and a deeper one at that. I’m born and bred in Yorubaland.
So, I so much appreciate it, particularly the person I’m working with, the Iya Oloja General, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo. She is a nice woman and doesn’t discriminate about where you come from. She gives work to whoever she deems fit and doesn’t care whether you are Yoruba or Igbo. There is nothing like tribalism or discrimination in our midst. I really appreciate and admire her a lot.
Murderator: . ...2. Wearing a crown to the Deji's palace
Dressing in full royal regalia to a true King's palace is the height of insult. Putting on an ordinary cap in front of a king in his palace is not acceptable not to talk of a crown. Do in rome what romans do. He ought to have seen that no one had even a cap on at the palace. His apologists say he should have been told to off his crown at the gate. An eze who claims his people have spent over 70yrs in Akure ought to know better. He failed to study the traditions of his host. His lord summoned him, only for him to appear as dressed as his lord in his lord's palace. He should have sat on the Deji's throne then.
3. Installing leadership in the king's market
Just cos his igbo people dominate a market owned by the King doesn't mean they have the right to install a leader of their choice. This is not democracy but customary rules which gives the Deji power over the market. There is no room for voting as his will must be done. He and is people claim to have lived in Akure for over 70yrs yet they don't know what is called babaloja and iyaloja.
4. Staging a protest
This is the height of it all- staging a protest cos you were put in your rightful place. Which law in akure recognises an eze ndigbo in akure(an igbo king in akure)? The protest showed he wanted to plunge the city into unrest even after going against the custom and culture of the land. For that, he was dealt with.
In as much as we are still one in thesame country, we shouldn't go about disregarding rules, customs, culture and traditions of wherever we find ourselves.
”The right to freedom is not absolute.It carries responsibility of not to be a nuisance”
- Fashola
Having gone beyond incendiary headlines, to review the circumstances which resulted in the current breakdown of ethnic relations in Akure, I am in complete agreement with you.
With respect to pt #2, I think his transgression was not simply to do with the "crown" he wore but the inauspicious circumstances under which it was worn. Apparently, after being corrected by palace officials who explained that his action was considered a taboo in Akure, he continued with his defiance nonetheless - see Youtube video included below. The following article also speaks to the restless combativeness which seemingly underscored his visit to the palace. You will note that the picture I attached (further below), which was taken from a video on Youtube, shows him sitting alongside the Olowo in his full regalia. No problem there, as it was for a specific festival.
Then comes the story of an Eze. Worried by his alleged disrespect for his host and apparent disdain for the Akure monarchy, the man had been suspended as the Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Odundun II, whose office had bestowed on him the title in the first instance. What was Iloh’s infraction? A market in the city, which had hitherto enjoyed the leadership of indigenes of the state capital, had succumbed to the subtle but powerful mercantile and commercial power of their Igbo brothers. Before the natives knew what was happening, the Igbo had imposed their suzerainty on the market and were not only determining the leadership of the market but ensuring that natives did not have a say in the affairs of their own market.
Worried by what they tagged native colonialism on their own land, a spat had occurred between some Igbo in the market and the natives. Afraid that this could turn violent, the Deji, one of the most humble kings to have ascended the monarchy in this part of the country, was said to have invited the Igbo leader for a meeting last Saturday through his Iru Okun, the king’s staff of office. The insignia was reportedly seized by some Igbo hirelings of the man, while the Eze did not honour the Kabiyesi’s invitation. Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have invited the man again for another meeting on Monday and the latter stormed the palace wearing his haughtiness and conceit on his sleeves. He was reported to have preened himself in the presence of the Kabiyesi, making calls on his cell phone before him and telling the Deji that even King Solomon in his wisdom could not dare to look down on those who had equal intelligence as him. Disturbed by this ride on a self horse and spit on their king, the chiefs present in the palace had collected his beads. The man reportedly later mobilised some Igbo youth to protest against the monarchy.
In my view, your third and fourth points zero-in on what set the current chain of events in motion. Where does this particular Eze Ndigbo derive his authority to decide who the local market leaders should be? In reference to Beremx's post, why aren't his equivalents not appointing market leaders all over Lagos - in a similar act of defiance?
Meet Igbo celeb woman who is Iyaloja of Oluwole market in Lagos
Igbo business woman, Chief (Mrs) Josephine Okeke Onwundiwe is the Iya Oloja of Oluwole Market, Lagos Island. Mrs Onwundiwe, who is from Anambra State was conferred with the Iyaloja title two years ago and was given a Yoruba name Abeni, on her conferment day.
Onwundiwe, born and bred in Lagos State and married to an Easterner of Igbo extraction, led a delegation of market women when she came to represent Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General at the Glo Overload N120 million promo event. City People’s Tessy Moore, who was also at the event got Onwundiwe to talk about her life as an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland. Excerpts.
How do you feel as an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland being an Igbo woman? Oh! I feel great. Being an Iyaloja of Oluwole Market here in Lagos Island is one of the best things that has happened to me. I’m from Anambra State, Udemili Local Government in Ogidi, to be precise. So being an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland is like getting deep into their culture and heritage and a deeper one at that. I’m born and bred in Yorubaland.
So, I so much appreciate it, particularly the person I’m working with, the Iya Oloja General, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo. She is a nice woman and doesn’t discriminate about where you come from. She gives work to whoever she deems fit and doesn’t care whether you are Yoruba or Igbo. There is nothing like tribalism or discrimination in our midst. I really appreciate and admire her a lot.
ceecee0703: I swear my broda u get sense, but u know the name Eze ndi Igbo means King of the igbos. So if the Igbos in a particular locality said lets have a mouth piece n give him the title Eze ndi igbo do u mean they are wrong? the truth is they dont do things the Oba in a yoruba kingdom will do...infact they pay courtesy visits to the Oba that is housing them as a mark of respect and bring him gifts. In Akure market an Igbo man was made the boss in a market dominated by Igbos in the ratio of 60:20:20. that is igbo:yoruba:others and the yorubas became very angry why should it be an igbo man. i think this one Nigeria is becoming a mirage on daily basis
The emboldened statement in your post obscures the main trigger of the current firestorm.
Question: what authority invested Eze Ndi Igbo with the power to appoint a market leader?
Then comes the story of an Eze. Worried by his alleged disrespect for his host and apparent disdain for the Akure monarchy, the man had been suspended as the Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Odundun II, whose office had bestowed on him the title in the first instance. What was Iloh’s infraction? A market in the city, which had hitherto enjoyed the leadership of indigenes of the state capital, had succumbed to the subtle but powerful mercantile and commercial power of their Igbo brothers. Before the natives knew what was happening, the Igbo had imposed their suzerainty on the market and were not only determining the leadership of the market but ensuring that natives did not have a say in the affairs of their own market.
Worried by what they tagged native colonialism on their own land, a spat had occurred between some Igbo in the market and the natives. Afraid that this could turn violent, the Deji, one of the most humble kings to have ascended the monarchy in this part of the country, was said to have invited the Igbo leader for a meeting last Saturday through his Iru Okun, the king’s staff of office. The insignia was reportedly seized by some Igbo hirelings of the man, while the Eze did not honour the Kabiyesi’s invitation. Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have invited the man again for another meeting on Monday and the latter stormed the palace wearing his haughtiness and conceit on his sleeves. He was reported to have preened himself in the presence of the Kabiyesi, making calls on his cell phone before him and telling the Deji that even King Solomon in his wisdom could not dare to look down on those who had equal intelligence as him. Disturbed by this ride on a self horse and spit on their king, the chiefs present in the palace had collected his beads. The man reportedly later mobilised some Igbo youth to protest against the monarchy.
Now read this...
Meet Igbo celeb woman who is Iyaloja of Oluwole market in Lagos
Igbo business woman, Chief (Mrs) Josephine Okeke Onwundiwe is the Iya Oloja of Oluwole Market, Lagos Island. Mrs Onwundiwe, who is from Anambra State was conferred with the Iyaloja title two years ago and was given a Yoruba name Abeni, on her conferment day.
Onwundiwe, born and bred in Lagos State and married to an Easterner of Igbo extraction, led a delegation of market women when she came to represent Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General at the Glo Overload N120 million promo event. City People’s Tessy Moore, who was also at the event got Onwundiwe to talk about her life as an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland. Excerpts.
How do you feel as an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland being an Igbo woman? Oh! I feel great. Being an Iyaloja of Oluwole Market here in Lagos Island is one of the best things that has happened to me. I’m from Anambra State, Udemili Local Government in Ogidi, to be precise. So being an Iyaloja in a Yorubaland is like getting deep into their culture and heritage and a deeper one at that. I’m born and bred in Yorubaland.
So, I so much appreciate it, particularly the person I’m working with, the Iya Oloja General, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo. She is a nice woman and doesn’t discriminate about where you come from. She gives work to whoever she deems fit and doesn’t care whether you are Yoruba or Igbo. There is nothing like tribalism or discrimination in our midst. I really appreciate and admire her a lot.
Akureland has been in the news of recent, on two unpleasant platforms. One was the abduction of its highly revered son and traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo, Akure, Chief Olu Falae. The other is the alleged unruly behaviour of a man, who until recently was the Eze Ndigbo of Akure. The two stories have conspired to pollute the waters of a land known for its metropolitan nature and peaceful people.
I begin with Falae. A couple of weeks ago, societal reverence and respect for him notwithstanding, a band of violent and virulent Fulani herdsmen had stormed his Ilado farm in Akure, abducted him and only released the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation after a ransom had been paid. The equivocation of that abduction looms large. Falae, as the Olu of Ilu-Abo, presides over a section of Akure that is known to be a refuge for all tribes in Nigeria. On the streets of the small village, languages jam one another and the cultures of the inhabitants are almost subsuming that of their host. What that means in essence is that Chief Falae is head of virtually all tribes in Nigeria in his domain. It is in Ilu-Abo where they find their daily bread. You could call the inhabitants farm workers and labourers, but the fact remains that the land provides refuge for their esophagus. Those who know the peculiar nature of Falae’s cosmopolitanism and the village he administers were shocked that a nationalist like him could fall prey to the antics of some evil men who did not respect his nationalism and political pedigree.
[b]Then comes the story of an Eze. Worried by his alleged disrespect for his host and apparent disdain for the Akure monarchy, the man had been suspended as the Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Odundun II, whose office had bestowed on him the title in the first instance. What was Iloh’s infraction? A market in the city, which had hitherto enjoyed the leadership of indigenes of the state capital, had succumbed to the subtle but powerful mercantile and commercial power of their Igbo brothers. Before the natives knew what was happening, the Igbo had imposed their suzerainty on the market and were not only determining the leadership of the market but ensuring that natives did not have a say in the affairs of their own market.
Worried by what they tagged native colonialism on their own land, a spat had occurred between some Igbo in the market and the natives. Afraid that this could turn violent, the Deji, one of the most humble kings to have ascended the monarchy in this part of the country, was said to have invited the Igbo leader for a meeting last Saturday through his Iru Okun, the king’s staff of office. The insignia was reportedly seized by some Igbo hirelings of the man, while the Eze did not honour the Kabiyesi’s invitation.[/b] Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have invited the man again for another meeting on Monday and the latter stormed the palace wearing his haughtiness and conceit on his sleeves. He was reported to have preened himself in the presence of the Kabiyesi, making calls on his cell phone before him and telling the Deji that even King Solomon in his wisdom could not dare to look down on those who had equal intelligence as him. Disturbed by this ride on a self horse and spit on their king, the chiefs present in the palace had collected his beads. The man reportedly later mobilised some Igbo youth to protest against the monarchy.
In his defence, the Eze told the story of how the Igbo had been living in Akureland for over 70 years and how he contributed money towards the ascendance of the king. The natives must be told that modernity dictates that the Igbo, like their Akure host, should be able to compete in an open market and whoever had an upper muzzle should hold the suzerainty of the said market, so far as the contest is open and legal. The advent of capitalism has dictated that the pursuit of wealth of nations is a survival-of-the-fittest contest. What, however, the writer finds loathsome is his alleged disrespect for his host and especially their tradition as embodied in the Deji. The Akure people do not joke with their traditional institution and revere their monarch as next to God on earth.
Having lived in Akureland for 70 years, in the words of the man himself, there is a failure on his part in recognising that in a choice between Mammon and their king, Akure will pick the latter. The current Deji, Oba Aladetoyinbo, from what this writer has been able to piece together about him and his pedigree, is an embodiment of humility and respect for tradition. He will stand by his people, no matter whose ox is gored.
Iloh occupied the title of Eze at the instance of the Deji. Like such fancy title of the Eze which has neither traditional foundation nor any royal reckoning but for administrative purposes, the day the man who bestows the title feels the holder is no longer fit to occupy it, he is shown the door. In this instance, this writer was told that the chiefs, who represent all sections of Akure, who witnessed Eze’s grandstanding and peacock-like desecration of their traditional chieftaincy stool, apparently because of his proximity to the allures of cash, removed his chieftaincy beads.
Methinks what the ex-Eze should seek is peace and forgiveness of the Deji, his council of chiefs and by that very fact, the people of Akure. Yes, modernity had duded the issue of settlers/indigenes but I am yet to hear that modernity has decreed that anyone should ride roughshod on the remains of culture of respect for kings which the people hold on to jealously. Affronts on Falae and the Deji by two distinct settlers are apparently too heavy for Akure to shoulder.
For someone who claims to be part of continuum that reaches back at least 70 years, this particular Eze Ndigbo has evidently overreached himself in more ways than one.
Enough of this open defiance of our customary laws
GentleToks: As Yorubas in Akure, we have never felt threatened by Igbos presence in Akure despite all what we heard about their attitude towards others in the East(Yoruba traders who have been to the East).
Igbos have been in Akure for years and for you to become Eze of Igbos in Akure, you must have known few things if not a lot about Akure traditions. Even as a little child with my fellow igbo friends in the same Akure, we all knew then that if you climb a particular heap in front of Oba palace, you would automatically become a slave in the palace and we all avoided it at all cost despite our stubbornness and playfulness.
If a whole Eze of Igbos in Akure could claim not to much about tth tradition of his host, then, what's the point of making him an Eze. I thought being an Eze of Igbos in a particular town or city is to ensure that his kinsmen are well guarded and enlightened as to what to do or not to do.
Why do [some] Igbos like trouble where there is none? Why is only Igbos that always cause trouble wherever they are?
Politics › Re: 'We Are Your Subjects & Children'- Eze Ndigbo Akure Moves To Reconcile With Deji by OnReflection: 1:45pm On Oct 20, 2015
