- Ondo state has banned the Eze Ndi Igbo title in the entire state
- The traditional rulers of Ondo threatened to deal with anyone that used such titles
- The Deji of Akure said only he has the right to install any traditional ruler
Ondo bans any Eze Ndi Igbo title in the entire state
The traditional rulers in Ondo sate had a meeting and its outcome was that, they banned the Igbo traditional title of Eze Ndigbo in all towns and villages in the state.
Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo who holds the title of the Deji of Akure, announced that this was the resolution of the traditional rulers in the state.
Speaking in a statement issued by Mr Michael Adeyeye, his chief press secretary, he said that the title of Eze Ndigbo no longer exists in the state.
He reiterated for emphasis that it was a decision reached by all the traditional rulers in the state. There had been rumours that the Deji of Akure planned to install a new Eze Ndigbo against the wish of many Igbos in the state.
However, the monarch said: "For the benefit of doubt, we have no intention to install any leader for the Igbo community as being speculated.“
The Akure monarch in the official statement said: “The title of Eze Ndigbo does not exist anywhere in Akure or Ondo state. Therefore, there could not have been any move to install anyone with such title.
"Hence, it remains a figment of the imagination and mere wishful thinking for anyone who claims such.
"An earlier act of insubordination to the Yoruba monarchy and culture by one Mr. Gregory Iloehika, has been deplored by all and sundry, in all its ramifications, as against the traditional norms and practice of the Yoruba people and this led to his removal and subsequent ban of the title of Eze Ndigbo in Akure Kingdom and the entire Ondo state.”
According to Punch, he explained, however that: "It remains within the purview of the Igbo community to choose its own leadership and it is at liberty to present a leader from among itself if it so desires.”
In conclusion, he made it clear that he would deal decisively with anyone that tried to“fan the ember of discord through this means, thereby creating unnecessary panic and misinformation in Akure and Ondo state at large.”
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