Afenifere InsistsObasanjo Must Apologise To Yoruba Monarch Over Public Insult
Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president, has been urged by the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, to apologise to the Oyo traditional rulers for mocking them and Yoruba culture and heritage.
The group lashed Obasanjo for “rubbishing the noble tradition” after leaving a meeting at the home of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo state.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting reads “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 rubishing 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.
On the state of the nation, the group said “After carefully reviewing the present situation on social, economic, security and political situation in Nigeria, particularly in Yorubaland, Afenifere called on all the state governors in the zone to improve regional cooperation in order to enhance the standard of living of our people.
“The meeting observed that the Development Agenda for the South West of Nigeria (DAWN) and the Yoruba Agenda launched at Ibadan in 2017 provide a roadmap that the state governments can use to transform Yorubaland.
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