Yoruba traditional rulers standing on the order of Obasanjo
Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, caused a stir when he ordered some traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand up and greet him and they did.
Obasanjo gave this order 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.
This has however triggered outrage from a section of persons who believed that Obasanjo desecrated the sacred tradition of respect for Yoruba monarchies.
Some Yoruba persons took to social media to berate Obasanjo for his military-style order that tended to belittle the royal fathers and their stools.
Some even gave knocks to the royal fathers for obeying his command.
He joined Governor Seyi Makinde to commission some projects in the state.
Obasanjo 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.
He said, “I greet the kings and chiefs here sitting; I am grateful that you are here. Let me say this: wherever the President or governor is, the kings present must stand up to honour him.
“In Yoruba land, there are two things that are most respected among others: age and position. When a governor is still in power, he’s more powerful than any king.
“Even when I was President, I prostrated for kings outside, and when we went inside, the kings would prostrate for me. So, let’s always celebrate our culture.”
“Thank you. Please, be seated. Firstly, I greet you all monarchs and royal fathers and thank you for coming,” he 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.
The statesman said, “In our (Yoruba) culture, we honour two main things: age and position. The governor’s position is higher than that of any monarch in as much as he is still the governor”.
