The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has severely rebuked former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his controversial “stand up order” directed at traditional monarchs of Oyo State.
The incident occurred on Friday during the inauguration of a project in Iseyin, Oyo State, where Obasanjo was the special guest of honour.
In a short video circulated online, the former president expressed his displeasure over the failure of the seated monarchs to rise and greet Governor Seyi Makinde, citing it as disrespectful to the Governor’s office.
Obasanjo’s authoritarian tone surprised viewers when he insisted that traditional rulers stand up.
Reacting to the incident, the Oluwo of Iwo issued a scathing statement through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem.
He condemned Mr Obasanjo’s actions as an insult and a deliberate desecration of revered Yoruba traditional institutions.
The Oluwo emphasized that respect must be earned and not demanded, noting that traditional rulers deserve the respect of those they encounter.
The Oluwo emphasized that royalty is a divine institution and must be treated with utmost modesty, courtesy and respect. He expressed his disappointment with the monarchs who complied with Mr. Obasanjo’s directive, holding them responsible for his actions.
In a strong call to action, the Oluwo demanded a formal letter of apology from the former president, stating that Yoruba monarchs should not be treated as mere subjects to be given orders.
Obasanjo standing order
Speaking in Yoruba, Obasanjo gave an order to the seated traditional leaders, forcing them to stand up and salute the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Obasanjo, a distinguished guest of Governor Makinde, arrived in Iseyin to inaugurate the Iseyin Campus of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
He also attended the event as a special guest of honor, unveiling the commemorative plaque and officially inaugurating the project. Prior to this, Obasanjo had already commissioned the major 34.85 kilometer Oyo-Iseyin road project.
In a surprising turn of events, Obasanjo, whose authoritarian tone resonated like that of a military commander giving orders to his subordinates, expressed deep disappointment at the ruling monarchs’ perceived lack of respect and disdain for the governor’s office.
In his stern speech to the visibly astonished royal parents, Obasanjo emphasized Yoruba culture’s dual reverence for age and position.
He stressed that the role and authority of a governor or president in any meeting takes precedence over that of any traditional ruler present. Mr. Obasanjo noted that despite Governor MakindeDue to his relatively young age, his position commands great respect from traditional leaders.
Oluwo’s statement
Following the incident, on Saturday, the Oluwo of Owo, in a statement through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, described Mr Obasanjo’s action as an insult, intentional blasphemy and sacrilege against the revered stools of Yorubaland .
The revered monarch insisted that the former president would not have dared to perform a similar feat with the northern emirs.
The statement reads: “Desecration of a traditional institution in Yorubaland by former President Olusegun Obasanjo-Oluwo.
I trust myself and my stool. When I die, there are certain things that my soul will not accept, much less when it is alive, active and well. I only blame the monarchs who paid homage to such ignoble and desecration of traditional institutions by the old man. Respect must be earned, not demanded.
Traditional rulers also respect their subjects. There is a way that monarchs respect people of age and position. Royalty is an institution of God. As such, interacting with kings requires a high sense of modesty, courtesy and respect.
The display of former President of Nigeria, General Obasanjo, was an affront, an intentional desecration and a sacrilege against the revered stools of Yorubaland. A wound for one is a wound for all. Yoruba traditional rulers are not men in uniform whom anyone can command at will. I do not blame him. The Royal Fathers who obeyed such an embarrassing direction are to blame.
I am firmly certain that this will never happen to a few monarchs. I will not mention “Iwo kogba igbakugba”
The spectacle of the former general is condemnable. Yoruba traditional institutions demand an apology for open desecration to upset and tear down the institution. He must prove that he is a fundamental Yoruba man with an apology letter. Kings are not little children. We are parents. He will never dare to do that against the northern emirs.
This action should pose a great challenge to the Yorubas, especially the Royal Fathers. This resulted when the monarchs joined the Ogboni brotherhood and became subalterns of mechanical engineers or road carpenters. As a responsible monarch, you do not have to join any secret society where a teacher or herbalist can control you.”