The dust stirred by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s outburst against some monarchs in Oyo State has not settled.
Yesterday, Afenifere, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, said the former president should apologise to Oke-Ogun traditional rulers for subjecting them to ridicule in Iseyin, two weeks ago.
The group also urged Nigerians to support the Bola Tinubu administration in its bid to reposition the country.
There was indignation in many parts of Yorubaland, following reports on how Obasanjo attacked the traditional rulers, who he accused of breaching protocol.
The former, who had accompanied Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to the road project commissioning at Iseyin complained that the monarchs had disrespected the governor for not standing up when he arrived at the ceremony.
After reprimanding them in harsh tone, he commanded them to stand up, and after they obey him, he asked them to sit down.
Flaying Obasanjo over his outburst against the monarchs, Afenifere said that the former president, who holds the traditional title of Balogun of Owu in Ogun, has violated tradition.
Rising from its meeting in Akure, Ondo State residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the group, in its communique, said as arrowheads of Yoruba culture, tradition and values, the royal fathers deserved respect as next in rank to the gods.
The communique reads in part: “Afenifere was taken aback by the avoidable and unwarranted incident that took place at Iseyin, Oyo State on Friday, September 15, 2023 where former President Olusegun Obasanjo commanded royal fathers at the gathering to stand up (and after complying), were ordered to sit down. It was as though a military commander was giving orders to his troops.
“We Yorubas respect our traditional institutions, the arrowhead of which, are our traditional rulers, who, traditionally and spiritually, have acquired the status of deities. It’s not surprising that they are referred to as ‘Igbakeji Orisa.’
“In view of the attempt to ridicule the respected obaship institution in Yorubaland, Afenifere hereby demands an unreserved public apology to obas from former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Our tradition describes who we are. As such, no effort must be spared to prevent the rubbishing of our noble tradition.
“In that wise, it’s hereby recommended that royal fathers are spared the trouble to stand up at public functions as obtained in the United Kingdom among others.”
Hailing the verdict of Presidential Elections Panel Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of President Tinubu during the February 25 election, the group said the judges’ erudition and attention details reflected in the 738-page judgment.
It said the judgment has enriched Nigeria’s jurisprudence on law and adjudication of electoral disputes.
To Afenifere, President Tinubu needs the support of Nigerians in his bid to rejig the economy.
The group, however, called for new strategies to stabilize the Naira, reduce insecurity, provide employment for youths and engage labour leaders over removal of fuel subsidy.
It added: “Afenifere reaffirms its support for the current government, ably led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and calls on all well meaning Nigerians to support the government in the onerous task of rescucitating our economy and improving the quality of life of all citizens.
“To ensure the survival of Yoruba language as the most important element of Yoruba culture, Yoruba should be the medium of instruction from Primary One to Three. Thereafter, it should become a compulsory subject for every pupil in Primary School and for every student in secondary schools. “It must be offered as one of the compulsory subjects in the school certificate examinations.”
The organization urged Southwest governors to speed up action on regional integration, saying the roadmap has already been developed by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.

By Bisi Oladele, and Osagie Otabor

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