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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Traditional rules in Oyo State have said their silence since last Friday when former President Olusegun Obasanjo scolded them for allegedly disrespecting the state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, is not an act of cowardice.
Recall that the former president had during the inauguration of 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the completed Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus, which houses the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, scolded the monarchs at the event over their failure to rise and greet the state governor, describing their behaviour as a sign of disrespect for the governor and his office.
Speaking in Yoruba, Obasanjo commanded the seated traditional rulers to rise and then sit.
Several people have criticised Obasanjo for tongue-lashing the traditional rulers publicly and ordering them to rise, describing his action as a desecration of Yoruba culture and tradition.
However, a statement made available to Newspeakonline on Tuesday by Olugbon of Orile-Igbon and Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, on behalf of the monarchs in the state, said royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.
Oba Alao said the incident is an internal affair, which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
“The outburst of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday, September 15, has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of the society.
“First and foremost, I will like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development,” the monarch said.
Olugbon assured all Yoruba and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident that when the monarchs sit down with Makinde and hold their next meeting, the incident would be reviewed and they would respond appropriately.
“Our Governor respects us, and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem,” he said.
Oba Alao also appealed for calm over the issue, stressing that everybody should apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected.
“Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. These ethos must reflect in our day-to-day activities,” Olugbon stressed.
He, however, noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last general elections, saying, “and will be willing to support them even in the future.”
“This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded,” the monarch stated.
