Igbo should permit Oba title in their land – Okurounmu OCTOBER 23, 2015 : ENIOLA AKINKUOTU

Senator Femi Okurounmu

Afenifere
chieftain,
Senator
Femi
Okurounmu,
says
if
the
Igbo
want
the
Eze
Ndigbo
title
to
be
recognised in Yoruba land, they must also recognise the Oba
title in the South-East.
Okurounmu said this during an interview with our correspondent
on Thursday while reacting to the ban on the Eze Ndigbo title by
the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
The Akure monarch ordered the title to be reviewed and replaced
with a non-controversial honorary one.
This is one of the conditions given by the monarch to end the
crisis between him and the leader of the Igbo community in the
town, Mr. Gregory Iloehike.
Subsequently, there have been calls by several Yoruba groups
for the total ban of the Eze Ndigbo title in the entire South-West.
However, Okurounmu said the Yoruba would have no problem
with the Igbo title as long as Yoruba titles were recognised in the
South-East.
He said, “In all things, there must be reciprocity. If the Yoruba
are allowed to have obas in Igbo land, then it will be in order for
the Igbo to have ezes in Yoruba land. On the other hand, if
Yoruba communities in Igbo land cannot have obas, then it will
not be fair for the Igbo in Yoruba land to have ezes.”
In a separate statement, the Afenifere Renewal Group
commended the Deji of Akure for banning the title of ‘Eze Ndi
Igbo’ in Akure.
Commending the Akure monarch for his decision on Thursday,
the ARG described him as a noble and wise king.
The ARG, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle
Famoriyo, said, “We want to say that this act will go down in the
history of the Yoruba nation and among other nationalities as
noble and needful.
“Contrary to what many, particularly the mischief makers, have
been saying, this move has the potential to strengthen inter-
ethnic relationship as it eliminates the friction points amongst
nationalities, be it in Yoruba land or elsewhere.
“There is no gainsaying that the structure of the Eze Ndigbo
outside Igbo land is deployed towards an expansionist end, with
possible occupational intent.
“It is our conviction that the Igbo community in Yoruba land
does not need to have a king, since by the Yoruba custom, two
kings cannot coexist in a domain.”
The ARG said the Yoruba people were the most tolerant in
Nigeria which was often taken for granted by other tribes.
The group encouraged Igbo trade associations and development
unions to continue to carry out their activities.
It, however, urged all monarchs and governors in the South-
West not to recognise the Ndigbo title as it was at variance with
Yoruba customs.
“We therefore want to reiterate our proposition to the heads of
executive governments in Yoruba land and other traditional
rulers that the title of Eze Ndigbo, or any other monarchical title
that is alien to Yoruba customs, be scrapped in all South-West
states,” the statement added.