Obasanjo under fire for ordering Yoruba monarchs to stand up, greet him
- Oluwo of Iwo condemns disrespect to traditional institutions
- Calls for apology: Yoruba socio-cultural group demands Obasanjo’s regret
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is receiving criticism following an incident in which he ordered Yoruba traditional rulers to stand up and greet him.
Obasanjo’s directive took place during the commissioning of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, Oyo State.
In a video circulating online, Obasanjo expressed his disappointment with traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun, Ibadan, Oyo, and Ibarapa for not standing up when the governor and he approached the rostrum for their speeches.
He emphasized the need for traditional rulers to show respect to governors and presidents, referring to it as a matter of “constituted authority.”
This action by the former president has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi, who condemned it as a deliberate desecration of traditional institutions.
Oluwo blamed the traditional rulers at the event for complying with Obasanjo’s order, asserting that respect should be earned, not demanded, and that kingship is an institution of God that should be treated with modesty and courtesy.
Furthermore, the socio-cultural group, Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin (EFI), has called on Obasanjo to apologize to the traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun for his remarks.
They deemed his outburst as unwarranted and unbecoming of a Yoruba elder and traditional chieftaincy holder, emphasizing the negative impact it has had on the image and collective psyche of the monarchs.
