Protest In Ondo Over Attack On Monarch

Youths, traditionalists and aged women in Igbokoda town in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State yesterday trooped out in large numbers to protest the attack on their traditional ruler, the Olu of lgbokoda, Oba Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji, by a community leader.

The protesters, who marched through the ancient town of Igbokoda half-naked, decried the humiliation of their monarch by the community leader over the sitting arrangements at a state government function.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the monarch’s ear was reportedly bitten by the community leader and his crown was forcefully removed during the fisticuffs.

A source who does not want his name mentioned told LEADERSHIP that the trouble started when the traditional ruler asked him 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 two.’’

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According to him, 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.”

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 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 who’s who in the state have been calling Oba Odidiomo Afolabi to beg him and appeal to him to forgive the man. Politicians, traditional rulers and government officials have been bombarding Oba Afolabi with calls.”