Ondo: Akure Monarch Orders Closure Of Markets To Celebrate Annual Festival, Lawyer Kicks

By Ayodele Oni

Friday has been declared no commercial activities day in Ondo state capital, Akure, as the traditional ruler, observes one of his traditional festivals.

The festival, being celebrated annually by the monarch, caused rift last year following attempt to close down some markets which did not fall within the territory of Akure.

The state government had to intervene and directed traditional rulers to limit their activities within their jurisdiction.

Reactions have been trailing this year’s celebration as people want to know whether the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade sought permission of the state government before ordering markets closure.

A statement on Thursday from the monarch read “The Palace of the Deji & Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom wishes to notify the residents of Akure and its environ that all Markets and Shops in Akure will be shut on Friday 25th August, 2023

“The closure became necessary as part of the requirement in observing the age long tradition of the annual Aheregbe Festival. It is important to emphasize 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.”

The statement was signed by Adeyeye Michael, Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure.

In a reaction, an Akure based lawyer,  Emmanuel Emodamor  noted that the common man, particularly  market men and women in Nigeria, are already economically suffocated and gasping for breath.

“They are just struggling to survive on their daily incomes.

For anyone to order the closure of markets and shops in these challenging times, in the name of a festival, which may not add any value to the people, is inhumane and a gross violation of the right to livelihood of our people.

“Most importantly, the ‘directive’ to close all markets and Shops is prima facie, an affront to the well-publicized existing order, directive or resolution of the State Executive Council.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I am a Prince, and I have enormous respect for positive traditions and customs, but not those repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience, or those aggravating the economic calamity of our people.

“I am therefore sure that the people of Ondo State, particularly the residents

of Akure, would need to know whether Your Excellency actually granted

approval to His Royal Majesty, the Deji Of Akure to close markets in Akure and its environs, and/or why such approval (if any) is not limited to the

Obas’ market in line with the extant 24th August, 2022 decision of the State Executive Council.

“If no approval was granted to the highly revered Kabiyesi to ‘order’ the closure of “all markets in Akure and its environs” as contained in the press statement issued by the Palace, then I am calling on Your Excellency to immediately assert the integrity, authority and sovereignty of the State

Government by enforcing the 24th August, 2022 State Executive Council

Resolution on closure of markets during festivals in Ondo State.”