Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given insight into why he ordered traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand and then sit.
Mr. Obasanjo is widely criticized over the incident which occurred on Friday during the inauguration of two projects in Iseyin, Oyo State, where the former President was a special guest of honor. In a short video circulated on the internet, Mr. Obasanjo is seen expressing displeasure at the seated monarchs' failure to rise and greet the state governor, Seyi Makinde, describing their behavior as a sign of disrespect for the governor and his office.
Speaking in Yoruba, Mr. Obasanjo then ordered the seated traditional leaders to rise and greet Governor Makinde. The monarchs rose promptly and then sat as commanded. Several people have criticized Mr. Obasanjo for tongue-lashing the traditional rulers and ordering them to rise, describing his action as a desecration of Yoruba culture.
The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, sternly rebuked the former President for his controversial "stand-up order" directed at the monarchs. Oba Akanbi said respect should be earned and not demanded, pointing out that traditional rulers deserve respect from those they encounter.
The Oluwo described kingship as a divine institution that should be treated with utmost modesty, courtesy, and respect. He expressed disappointment in the monarchs who complied with Mr. Obasanjo's directive. The Oluwo then demanded a formal letter of apology from the former president, arguing that Yoruba monarchs should always be treated with respect. But when contacted on the matter on Saturday, Mr. Obasanjo told PREMIUM TIMES he acted the way he did because the monarchs displayed utter disrespect for Governor Makinde.
"I arrived at the event venue with the governor," the former president said from South Africa where he was attending the burial of politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died on 9 September at 95. "As we arrived, every other person at the venue rose, but they (the monarchs) remained seated. I was surprised because I considered that a breach of protocol and disrespect for the governor. It later became the turn of the governor to speak. As he rose, every other person at the venue, including me, stood up as demanded by protocol and in respect for the governor and his office. Again, the Obas refused to rise. They all remained seated.
"I then asked people around whether that was the practice in Oyo State. I was told the Obas have always displayed disrespect for their governor.
I wondered where they got that from and then decided to speak to them about it. As far as I am concerned, there is a constitution, and there is culture. By our constitution, the governor is the leader of a state. Everyone must respect him no matter his or her status or age. He deserves respect no matter how young he is, and protocols must be observed. That was why I spoke to them the way I did. I wanted them to realize that it is not part of Yoruba culture to disrespect authorities. Respect begets respect, and they must learn to deal with their governor with respect if they want to be respected in return.
"I respect traditional rulers, and even when I was President and till today, I treat them with reverence. I prostrate, bow, and kneel before them as necessary. I respect our culture. But let us also know that there is a Constitution which puts a chairman as the head of a local government, a governor as the head of a state, and a president as the head of our country. Whatever we do must be in respect for that arrangement. I am saying there is culture, and there is the constitution. One must not disturb the other."
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shed light on the reason behind his controversial order for traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand and then sit during an event on Friday. The incident occurred during the inauguration of two projects in Iseyin, where Obasanjo was a special guest of honor. In a video circulating on the internet, the former President can be seen expressing his displeasure at the seated monarchs' failure to rise and greet the state governor, Seyi Makinde, considering it a sign of disrespect for the governor and his office.
Speaking in Yoruba, Obasanjo then commanded the traditional leaders to rise and greet Governor Makinde, which they promptly did. However, this action attracted criticism, with many accusing Obasanjo of disrespecting Yoruba culture. Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, sternly rebuked the former President for his "stand-up order," stating that respect should be earned rather than demanded. He emphasized that traditional rulers deserved respect and demanded a formal letter of apology from Obasanjo, highlighting the importance of treating Yoruba monarchs with respect.
When reached for comment, Obasanjo defended his actions, stating that he acted the way he did because the monarchs showed utter disrespect for Governor Makinde. He recounted arriving at the event venue with the governor and observing that everyone else in attendance rose to greet them, except the seated monarchs. The former President considered this a breach of protocol and disrespect towards the governor. Obasanjo then spoke about the incident, pointing out that the constitution designates the governor as the leader of the state, demanding respect from all regardless of their status or age.
Obasanjo expressed his deep respect for traditional rulers and outlined his past and continued reverence for them. He emphasized his adherence to Yoruba culture, prostrating, bowing, and kneeling before them when necessary. However, he highlighted the existence of the constitution that establishes a hierarchy in governance, with the chairman heading a local government, the governor leading a state, and the president presiding over the country. Obasanjo stressed the need for balance between culture and constitutional arrangements, stating that one should not interfere with the other.
Conclusively, Obasanjo explained that his intentions were to make the traditional rulers understand the importance of respecting authorities and observing protocols. He emphasized that respect begets respect and urged the monarchs to treat the governor with respect if they wished to receive the same in return. While he acknowledged the significance of culture, he noted that it must coexist with the constitution and the established order of governance.
•Source: PREMIUM TIMES