Order To Monarchs: Obasanjo Defends Self, Says “Oyo Obas Are Usually Disrespectful To The Governor”

By Adesina Soyooye

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has denied he was disrespectful to Oyo Traditional Rulers (Obas), but said the Obas must respect Political authority. He also said he was told that the Obas are usually disrespectful to the Governor, and described such behaviour as a breach of protocol.

Obasanjo has been under strong criticism since last week when he, at a public function in Iseyin, Oyo State, chided the Obas for not standing up when he and the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, arrived the venue.

After chiding them, and lecturing them on why they should have stood up on the Governor’s arrival, he ordered them to stand up, and then sit down again. The Traditional Rulers obeyed.

However, most Yoruba people and Yoruba associations and organisations were outraged, and have since asked Obasanjo to tender a public apology to the Obas. They said he committed a sacrilege by speaking to them, publicly, in the manner he did.

But in an interview with Premium Times, Obasanjo defended himself, and insisted that the Traditional Rulers must respect Authority no matter how young the Governor is. He noted that the Obas were not only disrespectful to the Governor, they were in breach of protocol.

Obasanjo: “I arrived at the event venue with the governor. 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 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 realise 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  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 head of a Local Government, a Governor as Head of a State, and a President as Head of our Country.

“Whatever we do must be in respect for that arrangement. I am saying there is culture and there is constitution. One must not disturb the other.”