Obasanjo must apologise to Yoruba monarch’s denigrated at Oyo event
Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has flayed former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo, for denigrating some traditional rulers at a government function, held in Oyo state.
Obasanjo had asked the monarch to rise to their feet while upbraiding them for their seemingly scant regard for the state Governor Seyi Makinde,or any politician for that matter. He equally told the monarch, who sprang to their feet in obedience to his request, that such an elected politician is placed above a king and therefore must be revered by them.
The Oluwo of Iwo however disagrees with the former president. In his statement released on Saturday, Oba Akanbi flayed Obasanjo for his action and, at the same time, urged him to write apology letters to the affected Monarchs.
Stating that he would have accepted such mistreatment, Oba Akanbi said, “In death, there are certain things my soul will not take let alone when alive, active, and kicking. I only blame the monarchs who stood in obeisance to such an ignoble and desecration of traditional institutions from the old man. Respect should be earned not demanded.”
He added, “Traditional rulers respect their subjects too. There is a way respect is accorded to people of old age and position by monarchs. Kingship is an institution of God. As such, relating with kings requires a high sense of modesty, courtesy, and respect.
“The display by the former president of Nigeria, General Obasanjo was an affront, an intentional desecration and sacrilege against revered stools of Yorubaland. An injury to one is an injury to all. Yoruba traditional rulers are not uniform men anyone can command at will. I don’t blame him, those royal fathers who stood up to obey such an embarrassing direction are to be blamed.”
“Kings are not toddlers … He wouldn’t dare that with northern emirs,” Oba Akanbi stated.
