*Our town’s markets open, up to Isolo junction, Maronu, others – Osolo
By KEMI KASUMU
The planned encroachment on Isolo territory by Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, did not happen despite the boast by his palace that he would close down all markets and shops in the adjoining town for the Aheregbe (Dududu) Festival today.
On the monitor of event since daybreak of this Friday, The DEFENDER found out that the enforcement of law and order by the state government – with cooperation of the Palace of Osolo of Isolo – incapacitated the Deji or his agents from being able to come to the ancient community let alone that anyone would disrupt the peace of the land.
Security operatives drafted from the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Service (DSS) and Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) were, as at the time of filing this report, fully on ground and on patrol in Isolo while the people were going about their normal business without fear of attack by anyone.
Oba Edward Adewole, the Osolo of Isolo, told The DEFENDER Friday that there was no problem as residents of his town were going about their activities without issues.
He said, “I must say in Ondo State we have a government that knows the value of peace and has enforced the law to the fullest in ensuring that enduring peace achieved so far in Isolo, like across the state, is not tampered with by anyone, whoever he may be.”
The Isolo monarch said, “All the markets in Isolo town are opened. At Isolo Junction, not all the locked up shops are open currently because this is the first time the people are seeing things working out well and they want to observe things before they come out. They have, however, started coming out now to open their shops.
“Aside the Isolo Junction market, all other markets of Isolo town are opened and are being operated now, they are Osolo Market, Maronu Market and Butcher (Spare Parts) Market at Oyeanrugbulem among others,” the Osolo said.
Deji of Akure, who was countered when he tried it with the Iralepo of Isinkan Kingdom, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ojo Olofin-Adimula, and his people last year, has refused to accept that he has no prescribing authority over Isolo or any town other than his own Akure domain.
He was reported to have said through his Chief Press Secretary Michael Adeyeye that, as he celebrates the Aheregbe on Friday August 25, 2023 (today), all markets and shops in Akure and its environs must obey him and comply with his closure order.
But the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, kicked saying it was not going to happen because Aheregbe (Dududu) is not Isolo festival and so neither can it be observed nor requirement of its markets and shops order will affect the town.
The Osolo had ordered that all markets and shops in his ancient community be opened and that residents in the town should go about their normal businesses as Aheregbe also called Dududu is not festival of Isolo town and so will not be allowed to encroach on the town’s territory talk less that it will be allowed to disrupt its commercial activities.
It is the law in Ondo State that no Oba shall trespass to domain of other Oba, meaning that Deji of Akure is naturally banned from exercising authority to order closure of market or shop in any town other than as legally recognised to be his own.
Deji Aladetoyinbo, who has all along been advised by Ondo State and Akure South Local Government authorities over the years that he has no legal rights over towns other than his own Akure domain, was finally told to his face on Thursday as he was reminded of his limitations by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Bamiele Ademola-Olateju.
The Information Commissioner told Deji Aladetoyinbo in the statement he issued Thursday night that even in his own Akure, he can enforce closure of markets and shops for Aheregbe, “ONLY if” he has the approval of the Governor of the state to do so.
On August 24, 2022, exactly one year ago, the Commissioner said yesterday that one of the decisions made by the Ondo State Executive Council, while putting a stop to indiscriminate closure of markets and shops by the Deji of Akure, was that “there shall be no closure of markets in any part of the state without the approval of the Governor.”
Reacting to the latest plan by the Deji to enforce markets and shops closure order even in towns other than his Akure this Friday, Hon Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said the statement credited to Mr. Michael Adeyeye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure “constitutes a clear violation of an existing order of the Government.”
He said the Deji’s statement is also an abridgement of 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 Ọjà Ọba (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 business 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, Hon Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, cleared the doubt of everyone,” he said.
