Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi has berated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for mandating traditional rulers to stand up to greet Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Gatekeepers News reports that Obasanjo, on Friday, ordered the monarchs who were present at the commissioning of a 34.85 km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus, which houses the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, to stand to greet the Governor.
The ex-President, who spoke in Yoruba, stated that despite the traditional rulers’ status, it was crucial for them to respect elders and those in positions of power.
According to him, doing this will enable the preservation of the Omoluabi culture of the Yorubas.
“…I greet you all monarchs and royal fathers and thank you for coming,” he had said.
“But let me make something clear: whenever the Governor or the President is present, even the royal father must stand up to honour the President (or the Governor).”
“Stand up! You can have your seat. Please!!!” he ordered them.
Subsequently, the monarchs stood up to honour the Governor amid laughter and claps.
The development has sparked mixed reactions on social media with some accusing the former President of disrespecting the monarchs.
Oluwo of Iwo, in his reaction, said respect is not demanded but earned.
In a statement by Alli Ibraheem, his media aide, Akanbi described the action as “a desecration of traditional institutions from the old man”, and blamed the monarchs for obeying the ex-president.
“I trust myself and my stool. At death, there are certain things my soul will not take let alone when alive, active and kicking,” Oluwo said.
“I only blame the monarchs who stood in obeisance to such an ignoble act and desecration of traditional institutions from the old man. Respects should be earned not demanded.
“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.
“I’ve strong assurance that such will never happen in my presence and that of some few monarchs I will not mention, Iwo kogba igbakugba.”
Akanbi added that Obasanjo should tender an apology letter to the traditional rulers “for the open desecration to molest and bring down the institution”.
“He needs to prove himself as a core Yoruba man with an apology letter. Kings are not toddlers. We are fathers. He will never dare that against the northern emirs,” he said.
“This action should be a great challenge to the Yorubas, most especially the royal fathers. This is the result when monarchs joined Ogboni confraternity and became junior to a roadside mechanical engineer or carpenter.
“As a responsible monarch, you don’t have to join any secret society where you may be controlled by a teacher or even a herbalist.”
