The Council of Yoruba elders has demanded a public apology from former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, over alleged blasphemy against the Yoruba obas in Oke-Ogun.
On Friday, the ex-President ordered the monarchs in Oke Ogun to stand up after accusing them of not respecting their governor. This has, however, generated reactions from different quarters.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the Yoruba Council of elders berated the ex-President, stating that he should apologize to the obas.
The statement reads: "We write with great pain in our hearts and regret over the immeasurable quantum to imagine the ugly incident that occurred in Iseyin, Oyo State, on September 15, 2023, during the road commissioning by the Oyo State Government, where Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was invited as the Chief Guest of Honor.
"It was at this occasion that we saw, through a video that has gone viral, Chief Obasanjo acting like an adept overwhelmed by the spirit of Sango, repugnantly vituperating and lambasting the large congregation of our Obas in attendance, and commanding them in the utmost contemptuous and denigrating manner to rise and sit down, as an Army General would do to his soldiers.
"When we saw this video, it initially occurred to us as a fictional movie. But when it dawned on us that it was a reality, lo and behold, it was a scene that could burst one’s lachrymal gland into a rupture. For one thing, what Obasanjo did was infradignitatem to our Yoruba culture and tradition. It was a taboo. It was an arrant display of megalomania and utter rudeness to our crowns in Yorubaland.
"The position of our Obas could be discerned from their appellation as the Igbakeji Orisa (Second in command to the deity). And so, the desecration of our Obas, coming from a person of the status of Obasanjo, whose Yoruba identity is under question, is a great shame and denigration of the Yoruba culture and tradition.
"We, therefore, condemn this dastardly act by Obasanjo in its totality, and we call for his public apology to all the disgraced Obas and the entire Yoruba people. We also feel ashamed and let down by all the Obas in attendance who kowtowed to the command of the lesser mortal, as pupils would to their teacher.
"This organization - Council of Yoruba Elders - has poised itself to protect the glory and dignity of the Yoruba race in all aspects."
The statement further emphasized the severity of the incident, highlighting the importance of upholding the Yoruba culture and tradition. The Council of Yoruba Obas condemned Obasanjo's actions, labeling them as a disgrace and denigration to their heritage. They firmly believed that the position of their Obas as the Igbakeji Orisa deserved respect, and Obasanjo's behavior had not only insulted the obas but also the entire Yoruba community.
With the demand for a public apology, the Council of Yoruba Obas made it clear that they would not tolerate such blasphemy against their revered leaders. They expressed their disappointment in not only Obasanjo's actions but also in the obas who had seemingly succumbed to his commands. They likened their obedience to that of students following their teacher, further adding to the humiliation faced by the Yoruba people.
Conclusively, the Council of Yoruba Obas asserted their commitment to protecting the glory and dignity of the Yoruba race. They called upon Obasanjo to publicly apologize to all the disgraced Obas and the entire Yoruba community. The statement sent a strong message that disrespecting their culture and tradition would not be tolerated, regardless of one's stature in the society. The demand for an apology served as a reminder that the Yoruba people would stand united against any form of blasphemy or derogatory actions targeting their revered obas.