The event took place on Friday in Iseyin, Oyo State, during the inauguration of two projects, and Mr. Obasanjo was invited as a special guest of honor. The episode has drawn widespread criticism for Mr. Obasanjo.
In a brief video that has been circulating online, Mr. Obasanjo can be heard expressing his disappointment that the seated monarchs did not stand to meet Seyi Makinde, the state governor. He describes their behavior as an indication of disrespect for the governor and his office.
The traditional elders who were seated were then told by Mr. Obasanjo to stand and welcome the state’s new governor, Makinde, in Yoruba. The kings instantly stood up and sat down as directed.
Many individuals have attacked Mr. Obasanjo, calling his move a degradation of Yoruba culture, for reprimanding the traditional leaders and ordering them to stand.
The former President received a strong reprimand for his contentious “stand up order” addressed at the monarchs from the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi.
Oba Akanbi stressed that respect should be earned rather than commanded, arguing that people should treat traditional leaders with deference.
Mr. Obasanjo claimed that the reason behind his behavior was the monarchs’ blatant contempt for Governor Makinde.
“I arrived 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 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.
Share your thoughts