An Akure based legal practitioner, Barr. femi Emmanuel Emodamori has written to the Ondo State Acting Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa to enforce the decision of the State government on market closure in the state.
Below is the full text of the letter;
NOTICE OF CLOSURE OF MARKETS IN AKURE AND ITS ENVIRONS BY THE DEJI OF AKURE: AN AFFRONT TO THE EXISTING ORDER/DIRECTIVE OF ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT, AND GROSS VIOLATION OF CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO LIVELIHOOD
Exactly one year ago, precisely on 24th August, 2022, the Ondo State Executive Council met and thereafter addressed the people of Ondo State on some far–reaching decisions said to have been taken in its meeting in the interest of the State, chief amongst which were some chieftaincy reforms and the ban on Traditional Rulers in Ondo State from arbitrary closure of markets whilst celebrating festivals, without or except with the prior approval of the Governor. Even when such approvals are to be given, it
1is to be strictly limited to Obas’ Market.
The Hon. Attorney-General of Ondo State, Sir Charles Titiloye, and the
Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, jointly
addressed the press on behalf of the State Executive Council on those
resolutions. I still have the video clip of that address.
Coincidentally and ironically, today, 24th August, 2023, exactly one year
thereafter, a public statement has just been issued by one Michael Adeyeye
as the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, ‘directing’ that all Markets
and Shops in Akure and its environs shall be closed on Friday, 25th August,
2023, to observe what the statement calls “Aheregbe Festival.”
Your Excellency would agree with me that the common man, particularly
the market men and women in Nigeria, are already economically suffocated and gasping for breath. They are just struggling to survive on their daily incomes.
For anyone to order the closure of markets and shops in these challenging times, in the name of a festival which may not add any value to the people, is inhumane and a gross violation of the right to livelihood of our people.
Most importantly, the ‘directive’ to close all markets and Shops is prima
facie, an affront to the well-publicized existing order, directive or resolution
of the State Executive Council.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am a Prince, and I have enormous respect for positive traditions and customs, but not those repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience, or those aggravating the economic calamity of our people.
I am therefore sure that the people of Ondo State, particularly the residents
of Akure, would need to know whether Your Excellency actually granted
approval to His Royal Majesty, the Deji Of Akure to close markets in Akure
and its environs, and/or why such approval (if any) is not limited to the
Obas’ market in line with the extant 24th August, 2022 decision of the State Executive Council.
If no approval was granted to the highly revered Kabiyesi to ‘order’ the
closure of “all markets in Akure and its environs” as contained in the press
statement issued by the Palace, then I am calling on Your Excellency to
immediately assert the integrity, authority and sovereignty of the State
Government by enforcing the 24th August, 2022 State Executive Council
Resolution on closure of markets during festivals in Ondo State.
May I assure Your Excellency of my highest regards.
Femi Emmanuel Emodamori
(Akure-based Lawyer)
Cc:
The Hon. Attorney-General of Ondo State
Ministry of Justice Alagbaka GRA Akure.
