Youths, traditionalists and aged women in Igbokoda town in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State on Tuesday trooped out in large numbers to protest alleged attack on the Olu of lgbokoda, Oba Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji, by a community leader.
Our correspondent learnt that protesters marched through the ancient town of half-naked, decrying the humiliation of their monarch by the said community leader over the sitting arrangement at a state government function.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the monarch’s ear was bitten by his attacker as his crown was forcefully removed during the fisticuffs.
A source who craved anonymity told LEADERSHIP that trouble started when the traditional ruler asked the community leader to vacate the front row reserved for traditional rulers by the governor’s protocol.
The source said, ”This led to a confrontation between the monarch and the community leader who rained curses on the monarch and attacked him. The refusal of the community leader to leave the seat angered Oba Afolabi, who insisted, and this sparked a physical fight between the duo.”
According to the source, the monarch who did not attend the event because of the attack, reportedly sustained injuries during the scuffle.
He said, ”It took the intervention of other monarchs and community leaders to stop the fight. The monarch was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
“The incident which occurred before the flag-off of the road by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has thrown the community into pandemonium as protest enveloped the coastal community over the incident,” he said.
Efforts to get the reaction of the traditional ruler were unsuccessful at the time of this report. But one of his aides, who spoke with journalists in confidence, hinted that “the monarch only asked him (the alleged culprit) to vacate the front row and not to block traditional rulers’ view, but the man was irked by the development and started insulting the monarch.
“The monarch, as the chief host, was polite enough towards the community leader who refused to leave the seat just to embarrass the monarch.
“The man pounced on Oba Afolabi, removed his crown, and the beads, and while they were struggling, he bit the ear of the monarch and was rushed to the hospital with blood all over his body,” the source added.
He added that dignitaries in the state have been calling Oba Afolabi to beg his alleged attacker to appeal to him for forgiveness. “Politicians, traditional rulers and government officials have been bombarding Oba Afolabi with calls,” the source claimed.
