The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for showing disrespect towards monarchs in Oyo State through a directive to stand up and disparaging comments about the royal stool….CONTINUE READING

During the inauguration of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Iseyin, Oyo State, on Friday, Obasanjo issued orders to the traditional rulers present to stand up.

The ex-President, visibly agitated, rebuked the monarchs for failing to show proper respect and courtesy to him and the office of the Governor by remaining seated while being introduced at the event.

In response to this incident, the Oluwo of Iwo, in a statement released through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, characterized Obasanjo’s actions as an affront, deliberate desecration, and sacrilege against the esteemed institutions of Yorubaland.

The Oluwo stated, “Respect should be earned, not demanded. Traditional rulers also show respect to their subjects. There is a particular manner in which respect is shown to individuals of advanced age and position by monarchs. Kingship is a divine institution. Consequently, interacting with kings requires a strong sense of humility, courtesy, and respect.”

“I have confidence in myself and my position. Even in death, there are certain affronts that my spirit will not tolerate, let alone while I am alive, active, and engaged.

I am disappointed in the monarchs who complied with such a disrespectful and sacrilegious directive from the elderly man.”

“The conduct exhibited by the former President of Nigeria, General Obasanjo, is an affront, a deliberate act of desecration, and an insult to the revered institutions of Yorubaland. An attack on one is an attack on all.

Yoruba traditional rulers are not individuals who can be commanded at will by just anyone. I do not hold him solely responsible; those Royal Fathers who obeyed such an embarrassing order are also at fault.”

He continued, “I can confidently say that such an incident would never occur in my presence or in the presence of a few other monarchs whom I will not mention.

The behavior exhibited by the former general is condemnable. Yoruba traditional institutions deserve an apology for the blatant desecration and degradation of their stature. He must demonstrate his true Yoruba identity by issuing an apology letter.”

The Oluwo emphasized, “Kings are not children; we are fathers. He (Obasanjo) would never dare to take such actions against Northern Emirs. This incident should serve as a significant lesson to the Yoruba people, particularly our Royal Fathers.”