Ondo Monarch, Govt Bicker over Order to Shut Down Market, Shops for Festival

Fidelis David in Akure

Ondo State Government and the  Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, yesterday disagreed  over the monarch’s directive to shut down all markets and shops in Akure, the state capital, in order to commemorate the annual Aheregbe festival.

According to the monarch,  the closure, which will take effect on Friday, August 25(today),  will affect marketplaces and shops in Akure and its surrounding settlements.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Michael Adeyeye, the traditional ruler highlighted the significance of the festival and its impact on the community, stressing that the closure of commercial activities during the festival is a long-standing custom that holds great importance in Akure’s tradition.

 “It is important to emphasise that there shall be no trading or opening of shops under any guise during the festival. Residents, market women, and shop owners are kindly enjoined to comply with this directive. However, only pharmacy shops and patent medicine stores are exempted from the closure of their shops during the festival. Moreover, the festival will not in any way restrict both human and vehicular movement.”

However, the state government in a statement through the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju cautioned the monarch, saying he has no authority to issue such directive.

The statement reads: “On August 24, 2022, one of the decisions made by the Executive Council was that there shall be no closure of markets in any part of the state without the approval of the governor.

“The statement credited to Mr. Michael Adeyeye, the Press Secretary of His Majesty, the Deji of Akure constitutes a clear violation of an existing order of the government, and an abridgement the right of Akure residents to the pursuance of their livelihood. The public should note that even if an approval was sought, such closure would have been limited to jà oba (Oba’s Market) in Akure.

“We urge our respected Royal father, His Majesty, the Deji of Akure to respect the government decision and refrain from any action that can inconvenience, and, or inflict economic pain to Akure inhabitants. We also ask that the cordial relationship between the revered stool of the Deji not be drawn into open confrontation with the government.

“Akure residents are urged to go about their normal businesses on Friday and beyond, in pursuance of their freedoms. No market or shop shall be closed by anyone either by coercion or threat of force before, during or after Aheregbe festival. Whoever flies in the face of this directive will draw the ire of the government. The government of Ondo State ask that everyone should be law abiding and move about freely in the pursuit of happiness,” the statement added.