By Seyi Babalola
Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, has criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent behavior in a video in which he asked traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand in reverence for him.
When he issued the order on Friday, Obasanjo maintained the constitutional primacy of elected authorities.
He issued this directive at the dedication of the 34.85-kilometer Oyo-Iseyin Road and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus, which houses the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources.
Reacting, Oba Akanbi said he only “blamed the monarchs who stood in obeisance to such an ignoble and desecrating of traditional institutions from the old man.”
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, he said, “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.
“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.
“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.”
Lending his voice to the matter, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, said denigrating an Oba is not in the best interest of the land.
He made this comment on his Facebook page on Saturday.
According to him, “OBASHIP TRADITION is no doubt the oldest surviving traditional Institution in Yoruba land.
“Denigrating or mudslinging it is not in the best interest of our land. Yes! Obas can be corrected. It’s best done behind the scene. God bless our land.”
