Isinkan markets open for trading, as Akure shops, markets shut for Aheregbe festival
By KEMI KASUMU
Business activities are going on at popular Isinkan markets in line with the directive of the Iralepo of Isinkan Kingdom, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula (Arulewolasi III), even as he congratulates the Deji of Akure Kingdom over the Aheregbe festival.
Markets in most parts of Akure are, however, shut down to celebrate the festival thus Monday August 22, 2022 as directed by Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure Kingdom in a statement on Sunday.
According to a media situation report Monday, presence of security operatives was noticed around the capital city especially Arakale road to Isinkan roundabout this morning.
Later around 11:00am, the security agents led by the Police Area Commander were seen enforcing closure of the markets under the Akure area.
However, speaking on the situation, the Ondo State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, said it was not the duty of the police to enforce market closure during traditional festival.
Odunlami noted that the duty of the policemen, who were at Isinkan area, are to maintain law and order as well as preventing breakdown of peace, according to Sunshine Truth newspaper.
The DEFENDER reports that Ondo State Government had time without number warned first class Obas in the state against extending their authorities beyond domains recognised by chieftaincy law of the state.
This was repeated while presenting the Staff of Office to the Iralepo of Isinkan recently, which now makes the King of Isinkan, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State a man with authority to administer the affairs of his own kingdom as enshrined in the law executable only by the state government.
The two monarchs released two respective statements on Sunday, whereas the Deji, against the government’s stand as enshrined in the law recently resolved by court of jurisprudence, announced Isinkan as among traditional domain he has control to stop market activities from operating as he celebrates his Akure’s Aheregbe this Monday, the Iralepo simply chose the part of peace by sticking with the law that gives him power to exercise his authority saying markets within the Isinkan Land would remain open and operational.
For both towns to go about their respective activities within the ambit of the law was the only role the police agents were out to ensure not to force the Deji’s orders on Isinkan, which is under Oba Olugbenga Ojo Olofin-Adimula Arulewolasi III.
The Iralepo, Oba Olofin-Adimula, had on Sunday in his statement congratulated the Deji of Akure Kingdom over the Aheregbe festival. He prayed for success of the festival and wished the Deji well in the activities lined up for the 2022 edition of the festival.
The Iralepo used the opportunity to invite shoppers in Akure to come to Isinkan for their business and shoppings during the Aheregbe period as shops and businesses shall remain open in every part of the Isikan domain.
Deji’s orders
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Michael Adeyeye, had ordered that his directive on market closure covers Isinkan, a community under an entirely independent Oba.
The statement said, “The attention of the Palace of the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom have been drawn to a press statement and rumour flying around that shops, stalls and market within Isikan area are exempted from the closure in observance of Aheregbe festival schedule to hold tomorrow, Monday 22nd August, 2022
“Without mincing words, the closure became necessary as part of the age long tradition in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival and this will be observed in Isikan and all parts of Akure.
“The Palace wishes to inform residents that no trading or opening of shops under any guise will be allowed during the festival in Akure as earlier announced.”
Isinkan markets open
Apparently reacting to the statement issued by the Deji’s palace that market and shops should be closed in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival, Oba Olofin-Adimula said such directive does not affect traders in Isinkan Kingdom.
In a statement personally signed, the Iralepo, who said it is a taboo to bring such festival to Isinkan said forcing such on the community would have grave consequences.
While saying though Akure and Isinkan share what some may consider blurred boundaries, the Isinkan monarch said indigenes of the two communities know their domains and that their boundaries are not blurred.
“For the purpose of emphasis, I will like to say that Isinkan shares boundary with Akure at Imogun, just before Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church, Isinkan, and Ondo at Owena river. In all these areas markets and shops are not closed for Aheregbe festival.
“It is a taboo and has consequence on Isinkan Community as well as the priest of the festival. So, for peace to reign, Akure people should not bring the festival to my community and neither can they enforce market and shop closure here. This statement is necessary in order to remove any iota of doubt,” he said.
While saying security agencies have been informed about the development, Oba Olofin-Adimula enjoined all market women and traders on Isinkan land to go about their lawful businesses.
He equally enjoined the youths of the community to remain calm.
Also, the Elemo of Isinkan, High Chief Olasehinde Abidakun while clarifying issues, explained that Isinkan community is not and has never been part of Aheregbe festival celebration of the people of Akure or any other such celebrations.
The Elemo stated that all Akure festivals stop at Imogun. He explained further that exporting Akure festivals into Isikan land will amount to courting trouble and affirmed the support of all the chiefs and people of Isikan for Oba Arulewolasi.
Traders at Isinkan market on Monday as shown below:
