In response to the widespread reactions that followed his directives to traditional rulers in Oyo State last Friday, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated his stance on the matter. Recall that during the commissioning of the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Obasanjo commanded traditional rulers present to stand up and sit down as a sign of respect to Governor Seyi Makinde.
Obasanjo had been invited as a special guest of honor for the project’s inauguration by Governor Makinde. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized that the governor’s position held superiority over that of any king, urging the traditional rulers to respect the governor’s authority. He explained, “Please, please, all of you, the traditional rulers, I greet you, thank you for your presence. But let me say something. Anywhere there is a governor or president, traditional ruler, he has to stand up and greet the governor or the President. Stand up, sit down.”
He further elaborated, “Please in Yoruba land, we respect two things: age and position. The governor’s position is superior to that of any king in as much as he is a governor. When I was a President, I prostrated for kings openly. But indoors, the king would bow down for me. Let us respect our culture.”
However, this action by Obasanjo drew criticism from some Yoruba leaders, including the Oluwo of Iwo, who considered it an affront to Yoruba culture. They called on Obasanjo to issue an apology to the traditional rulers within seven days.
In response, Obasanjo, through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, firmly stood by his statement and actions, asserting that the constitution granted governors authority over traditional rulers. He emphasized that the office of the governor deserved the highest level of respect, protocol, and dignity in accordance with the Constitution, and failing to do so would undermine the office and the Constitution itself.
Regarding an apology issued on Sunday by someone claiming to be his wife, Taiwo Martins, Obasanjo disowned her and categorically stated that she was neither his wife nor a member of the Obasanjo family. He referred to her as an impostor and clarified that only he or those authorized by him could speak on behalf of the Obasanjo family. Furthermore, he pointed out that Ms. Martins’ health condition was widely known and that her statements and actions held no connection to him as an individual or to the Obasanjo family as a whole.
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