By Oguwike Nwachuku
Last week, most of the newspapers reported the feud
between the Deji of Akure, Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, and Eze Ndigbo in Akure,
Gregory Iloehika, over claims of a plan by Aladetoyinbo to dethrone him.
Many issues were at stake but the glaring ones are who
should collect royalty from the Igbo community who seem more comfortable paying
to the Eze Ndigbo than the Deji, and the influx of “illegal traders” at Mojere
market where Igbo traders were accused of contravening the rules.
*Some Igbo Politicians
One Emeka Umeh, chair of the Igbo traders, was accused
by the interim chairman of the market, Saka Aliu, of responsibility over the
“illegal traders”.
A meeting was held where Umeh was mandated to do away
with the “illegal traders” but he allegedly refused, leading to forceful resort
to eject the “illegal occupants” on the directives of the Deji.
The forgoing was the background upon which the Eze
Ndigbo was brought into the picture to intervene, but the Deji may have
considered his intervention slow and his style, arrogant and disrespectful to
his authority and institution.
“We shall continue to allow integration of all
Nigerians, but we will not allow anyone to degrade or trample upon our
tradition and institution,” he said.
The Deji accused the Igbo in Akure of insubordination
and violation of tradition.
Rotimi Olusanya, the Asamo of Akure, who spoke for
Aladetoyinbo, accused Iloehika of disregard for Akure people and the
traditional ruler.
