Govt Stops Akure Monarch From Closing Market Over Traditional Festival Celebration

The order by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, to close the market over traditional festival celebrations has been reversed by the Ondo State Government.

The monarch had on Thursday, through his media aide, ordered the closure of markets to observe the annual Aheregbe Festival coming up on Friday.

However, the government frowned at the order, saying the monarch had infringed on the fundamental human rights of the residents of the community, saying there would be no closure of markets without its approval.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, in a statement issued on Thursday evening, noted that the decision of the government was reached at the state Executive Council meeting.

The statement called on the monarch to refrain from any action that can inconvenience or inflict economic pain on Akure inhabitants.

The statement read, “On August 24, 2022, one of the decisions made by the Executive Council was that there shall be no closure of markets in any part of the state without the approval of the acting governor.

“The statement credited to Mr Michael Adeyeye, the Press Secretary of His Majesty, the Deji of Akure, constitutes a clear violation of an existing order of the government and an abridgement of the right of Akure residents to the pursuance of their livelihood.

“The public should note that even if approval was sought, such closure would have been limited to Oja-Oba (Oba’s Market) in Akure.

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“We urge our respected royal father, His Majesty, the Deji of Akure, to respect the government’s decision and refrain from any action that can inconvenience or inflict economic pain on Akure inhabitants. We also ask that the cordial relationship between the revered stool of the Deji not be drawn into an open confrontation with the government.”