Obasanjo’s humiliation of monarchs: An regrettable incident – Oyo Council of Obas

Following the alleged mockery of some traditional rulers at Iseyin in Oyo State over the weekend, the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs promised to respond to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the proper time, saying that the situation was sad.

The former President, who was a guest of Governor Seyi Makinde, ordered traditional rulers to stand and then told them to sit down.

Mrs. Taiwo Obasanjo sought forgiveness on behalf of her husband, the former President, yesterday. Obasanjo, the Oyo monarch, is suffering from senility.

In response to the incident, Oba Oyediran told Vanguard, “Why should we trouble ourselves with what he said? Age is catching up with him, and senility appears to be harming him. Don’t let us misunderstand what occurred.

“Governor Seyi Makinde, not Obasanjo, invited us to the event.” We would not have obeyed Obasanjo if he had invited us and said what he said. Why should we abandon Governor Seyi Makinde when he was not the one who humiliated us?

“That’s what people didn’t get. Governor Makinde respects us, and we respect him in return. We respect Obasanjo as well, but if you respect someone and he breaks your trust, the consequences are left to him and his creator. We don’t view it the way others do. We fulfilled our responsibilities. Obasanjo deceived us. We were standing there before he took the podium. We sat down when he grabbed the microphone. Did he expect us to stay standing while he spoke?”

Obasanjo trampled on our essential beliefs. —YCE and NAPAA

In response to the alleged mockery, the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, and the National Association of Public Affairs Analysts, NAPAA, yesterday urged the former President to tender an unqualified public apology to the traditional rulers, claiming that his actions had desecrated the South West’s core value.

In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, the YCE chastised Obasanjo, calling his actions as an obvious disregard for the institution.

“It is a denigration of the status of Yoruba traditional leaders, our Royal Fathers, and a direct affront to the people’s culture, norms, and values,” YCE’s scribe added.

“Baba, we are dissatisfied with the manner you treated our Royal Fathers. We believe that the customary stools of Yoruba gods have been desecrated in order to demand Oyo rulers to stand.

“This slander of Yoruba traditional leaders and royal fathers is an affront to the people’s culture, norms, and values.” The previous president’s dictatorial outburst is insulting, disheartening, and demeaning to the whole Yoruba nation.

“It is sacrilegious to openly and unabashedly mock the deity’s second-in-command (Igbakeji Orisha).”

“The Yoruba people’s (Iwa Omoluwabi) highly prized heritage and cultural values must be respected by all.”

“It is a desecration of the revered Yoruba stools and open opprobrium of Oduduwa’s forefathers.” It is humiliating.

“As elders of the respected Yoruba people, it is our sacred duty to protect our culture, values, norms, and traditions.” As a result, we caution the Owu Chief to temper his words. As a result, we demand that the previous president apologise.”

NAPAA takes on former President

The NAPAA, which also criticised Obasanjo’s behaviour, said in a statement issued by its President and General Secretary, Prince Seun Adelore and Mr Jare Ajayi, that the former President let his ego get the best of him on Friday.

“The desecration of our core values and tradition has contributed and continues to contribute in no small measure to the underdevelopment that we have been experiencing even after we gained independence,” according to NAPAA.

“Chief Obasanjo, who always likes to flaunt his support for culture by prostrating himself before some monarchs, wearing native attire, and even speaking Yoruba, let his ego get the best of him on Friday.”