Obasanjo told attack on Yoruba monarchs ‘unwarranted’, asked to apologise
President Olusegun Obasanjo has been urged to apologize to monarchs he publicly rebuked at a government function he attended in Oyo state recently.
The former Nigerian leader had chastised the affected traditional rulers for what he considered as their disrespect to Governor Seyi Makinde. He had told them their status was below a governor’s or president’s.
Reacting to the development, Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group,
Said Obasanjo’s conduct at the road commissioning on September 15 shocked it, calling it “avoidable and unwarranted incident”.
In its communique issued on Wednesday, Afenifere said the former president’s action was as if a military commander was giving orders to his troops.
“We Yorubas respect our traditional institutions, the arrowhead of which, are our traditional rulers, who traditionally and spiritually, have acquired the status of deities. It’s not surprising that they are referred to as ‘Igbakeji Orisa’!” the communique reads.
“In view of the attempt to ridicule the respected Obaship institution in Yorubaland, Afenifere hereby demands an unreserved Public Apology to Obas from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Our tradition describes who we are. As such, no effort must be spared to prevent the rubishing of our noble tradition.
READ ALSO:Adebanjo, others angry because I congratulated Tinubu – Afenifere’s spokesperson
“In that wise, it’s hereby recommended that Royal Fathers are spared the trouble to stand up at public functions as obtained in the United Kingdom among others.”
