Royal rumble: Iralepo cautions Deji of Akure over Aheregbe festival celebration 

…warns against stepping on Isinkan land

By Temitope Adedeji, Akure

The Iralepo of Isinkan kingdom, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula (Arulewolasi III) has cautioned the Deji of Akure kingdom over the celebration of Aheregbe festival.

The Iralepo said priests from Akure kingdom should not go beyond their limit by stepping into Isinkan land during the festival celebration. 

Reacting to a statement issued by the Deji’s palace that markets and shops should be closed in observance of the annual Aheregbe festival, Oba Ajimokunola said such directive does not affect traders in Isinkan kingdom.

In a statement he 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, adding that their boundaries are not blurred after all. 

“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,” he said.

While saying security agencies have been informed about the development, Oba Ajimokunola enjoined all market women and traders on Isinkan land to go about their lawful businesses.

He equally enjoined the youths of the community to remain calm.

Oba Ajimokunola used the opportunity to rejoice with the Deji over the festival and prayed for the success of the festival and wished the Deji well in the activities lined up for the 2022 edition of the festival.

The Iralepo used the opportunity to invite shoppers in Akure to come to Isinkan for their businesses and shopping during the Aheregbe period as shops and businesses shall remain open in every part of the Isikan domain.

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 Oba Ajimokunola.