By Ayodele Oni
The unhealthy rivalry between the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Ogunlade and Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola continues as two different directives were released from their Palaces concerning the celebration of an annual traditional festival.
Oba Ogunlade, who is Chairman, State Council of Obas, announced the closure of all Markets and Shops in Akure on Monday 22nd August, 2022.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, Michael Adeyeye, the closure becomes necessary as part of the age-long tradition in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival.
The statement informed residents that no trading or opening of shops under any guise will be allowed during the festival.
The Palace urged Market Women and shop owners to comply with this directive adding that only Pharmacy shops and Patent Medicine Stores will be allowed to open during the festival.
Another statement credited to the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Ajimokunola felicitated with the Deji of Akure kingdom over the Aheregbe festival and prayed for the success of the festival.
The statement added that 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.
Apparently reacting to a statement issued by the Deji’s Palace that market and shops should be closed in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival, Iralepo 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 Monarch said indigenes of the two communities know their domains. 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.”
While saying security agencies have been informed about the development, Oba Ajimokunola enjoined 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 providing clarification 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 Iralepo.
Just a few weeks ago, the two Monarchs installed two different persons as Head of a Quarter within their domain.
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