16th September, 2023
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Saturday, criticized ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for ordering traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand and greet Governor Seyi Makinde.
Obasanjo, at a project inauguration in Iseyin, Oyo State, on Friday, treated Oyo monarchs like school boys by ordering them to stand and greet Makinde.
According to Obasanjo, the monarchs were disrespectful for sitting down when the governor was called to address the attendees of the event.
Reacting to Obasanjo’s actions, Oba Akanbi boldly stated that the ex-president was wrong.
Oluwo noted that Obasanjo would not dare such actions against the Northern Emirs.
The monarch then demanded an apology from the ex-president.
The monarch said: “I trust myself and my stool. 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.
“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.
“The show by the former general is condemnable. Yoruba traditional institutions demand an apology 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.”