Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo
The Yoruba Council Worldwide has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo's actions during a project inauguration in Iseyin, where he ordered traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand and greet Governor Seyi Makinde. In a video that circulated online, Obasanjo expressed his displeasure with the monarchs for not rising to greet the governor, deeming their behavior disrespectful to the governor's office.
The Yoruba Council Worldwide views this incident as highly distressing, disparaging, and disrespectful to the Yoruba people. As a response, the YCW is calling on Obasanjo to issue an apology or face severe traditional and legal consequences.
During a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists' secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, YCW President Oba Oladotun Hassan condemned Obasanjo's actions. He stated that recent events have subjected traditional royal Obas to significant embarrassment and ridicule, with the most shocking sacrilege occurring in Iseyin, Oyo State, when Obasanjo addressed a group of first-class royal fathers and other leading Obas in a highly depressing, disparaging, and disrespectful manner. Hassan emphasized that Obasanjo has lost his status as an honorable figure.
As the leading advocate for Yoruba indigenous people worldwide, the YCW believes it has a duty to protect the traditional values, customs, and traditions of Yoruba Obaship. Therefore, they demand that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo issue a formal apology within the next three days. If he fails to do so, the YCW is prepared to take legal action against him for defamation and scandalous libel. Additionally, they will call for the removal of any chieftaincy titles granted to him by Yoruba monarchs.
The YCW also intends to mobilize market women, youth, and thought leaders against Obasanjo for his actions, which they believe desecrate Yoruba ancestral cultural heritage, norms, traditions, and values. They underscore that Obasanjo is no longer the President of Nigeria and should not attempt to assume unwarranted authority.
In addition, Siyanbade Adekanmbi, the Secretary General of the YCW, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and rein in Mr. Obasanjo, as a means of safeguarding and upholding the integrity of Nigerian royal institutions.
Adekanmbi pointed out that President Bola Tinubu has consistently shown a deep level of respect when visiting esteemed figures like the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and the Alake's palace. He also mentioned the respectful gestures of governors like Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, who have humbly shown their reverence by prostrating before kings and elders. Adekanmbi emphasized that such respectful practices should serve as a standard to be emulated, rather than the disrespectful behavior exhibited by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria.
Consequently, the YCW calls on President Bola Tinubu to step in and address Obasanjo's conduct. They believe that one way to move forward in preserving and safeguarding the institution of traditional leadership is to establish the National Council of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs. This council would not only oversee matters related to grassroots security and community policing but also play a role in national economic planning and strategic growth. Additionally, it would secure a 10% special allocation of funds from the federation account and ensure that traditional leaders are duly involved in fulfilling their expected roles as designated by the Federal Government.
