Ooni of Ife festival levy row sparks outrage as traders accuse palace reps of harassment; palace denies claims, calls for police involvement

Ooni of Ife festival levy controversy has erupted in Ile-Ife as local traders and artisans allege harassment by individuals said to be acting on behalf of the royal palace.

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The community dispute came to light on Sunday when the Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN) claimed its members were being coerced into paying a levy linked to the annual Olojo Festival.

According to a joint statement from the union’s local Coordinator, Comrade Saidi Adegoke, and Secretary, Comrade Monsur Jimoh, the issue escalated during a market incident earlier in the week.

On Tuesday, 16 September, the Ojatuntun Otisese Weekly Market was reportedly disrupted when men allegedly representing the Ooni’s palace seized goods from vendors who refused to pay the traditional festival levy.

The union insists this is part of a longstanding pattern of intimidation.

“For over five years, our members have been subjected to harassment and seizure of goods under the guise of traditional levies,” APTAN said. “Many of us are Muslims, and our religion forbids participation in festivals rooted in traditional beliefs. This levy infringes on our religious freedom.”

While criticising the acts, the union also expressed respect for His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and suggested the actions may have been carried out without his knowledge.

They called on the federal and state governments, the police, and the Sultan of Sokoto to intervene and safeguard their rights.

In response, the Ooni’s media aide, Moses Olafare, denied the palace authorised any such levy or harassment.

He said Oba Ogunwusi had already provided adequate funding for the Olojo Festival and condemned any criminal activity conducted in the palace’s name.

“No palace can compel anyone to pay for a festival,” Olafare said. “Anyone doing so is acting independently and should be arrested. The traders have not officially informed the palace of these extortion attempts — they must report them to the police.”

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The Ooni of Ife festival levy dispute underscores tensions between traditional cultural practices and religious freedoms in modern Nigeria, raising broader questions about the limits of authority in multicultural communities.