Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shed light on why he instructed traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand during the inauguration of two projects in the Iseyin area of the state last Friday.
The incident, captured in a viral video, showed Obasanjo reprimanding the monarchs for failing to rise in acknowledgment of the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The former president was criticized by many, including council of Obas describing the incident as a denigration of the status of Yoruba traditional leaders, Royal Fathers and a direct affront to the people’s culture, norms and values.
However, in an interview with Premium Times, Obasanjo, who was in South Africa attending the burial of politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi said; “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.”
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According to Obasanjo, when it was the governor’s turn to speak, he and everyone else at the venue stood up as protocol and respect for the governor’s office demanded. However, the traditional rulers continued to remain 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.
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“I respect traditional rulers and even when I was President and till today, I treat them with reverence. I prostrate, bow and knee 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.”