Deji Of Akure Bans Eze Ndigbo title

THE crisis over the title of Eze Ndigbo in Akure, Ondo state
took a new turn as the paramount Deji of Akureland Oba
Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi has said that the title remained
banned and that the removal of the title owner Gregory
Iloehika stands.

Some concerned Igbo leaders in Akure raised an alarm last
week that the Oba was planning to install a rival Eze Ndigbo
which may disrupt the existing peace between the Igbo
community and the people of Akure, their host. The Oba
however insisted yesterday in a statement that the
conferment of any honorary title on anyone (indigene and
non-indigene) within Akure Kingdom, remains the sole right
and prerogative of Oba Aladelusi. It will be recalled that last
year the Oba had a running battle with the owner of the title,
Ileohika over alleged act of insubordination which
eventually culminated to his removal and ban of the title. In
what looked like a hit back, the Oba was alleged to have
agreed with some pockets of Igbo leaders to factionalised
the group by raising a rival leader to cut Ileohika to size.
Although the statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press
Secretary to the Oba Michael Adeyeye in Akure said the Oba
had no intention to install a rival but in another breath said
the Igbo is at liberty to present any leader to the Oba if they
so desired.
According to the the statement “it remains within the
purview of the Igbo community to choose its own leadership
and it is at liberty to present a leader from among itself if it
so desires “It is important to reiterate that the title of Eze
Ndigbo does not exist anywhere in Akure or Ondo state.
Therefore, there could not have been any move to install
anyone with such tittle.
“Hence, it remains a figment of the imagination and mere
wishful thinking for anyone who claims such. “An earlier
act of insubordination to the Yoruba monarchy and culture
by one Mr. Gregory Iloehika, has been deplored by all and
sundry, in all its ramifications, as against the traditional
norms and practice of the Yoruba people. “This led to his
removal and subsequent ban of the title of Eze Ndigbo in
Akure Kingdom and the entire Ondo State.
“It remains a fact that the Deji & Paramount Ruler of Akure
Kingdom, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi is a peace-
loving monarch who sees all his subjects as one,
irrespective of their religious or ethnic affinity. ” Oba
Aladetoyinbo has, therefore, reaffirmed the ban on such title
in Akure Kingdom and by extension, in Ondo State, as
agreed on by the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers. ”
For the benefit of doubt, Oba Aladetoyinbo has no intention
to install any leader for the Igbo community as being
speculated.
“However, it remains within the purview of the Igbo
community to choose its own leadership and it is at liberty
to present a Leader from among itself if it so desires. “The
palace will deal decisively with anyone trying to fan the
ember of discord through this means, thereby creating
unnecessary panic and misinformation in Akure and Ondo
state at large. The palace according to the Oba “wishes to
state that it will continue to maintain peaceful cordial
relationship between it and all non-indigenes resident in
Akure.