The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has condemned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s disregard for traditional authorities after he ordered traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand to display their respect for him.
Obasanjo gave the order at the commissioning of a 34.85 km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus.
Oba Akanbi showed displeasure at the former president’s behavior and blamed the kings for obeying such an order.
“I trust myself and my stool. At 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 desecrating 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.
Oluwo described the former president’s behavior as condemnable and demanded that he apologize for desecrating the traditional authorities of Yoruba land.
“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.
He added that traditional rulers in Youruba land should rise up to the challenge of bringing dignity and respect to the positions they occupy by respecting themselves and not get involved in activities that make them puppets in the hands of individuals.
“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 road side 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.”
