By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, received support from Olufemi Ajadi, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP), for his call to Oyo State Monarchs to stand up and greet him during the opening of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin on September 15, 2023.
Ajadi emphasized that Obasanjo’s request wouldn’t have been made if the Monarchs were not politically aligned or partisan.
He highlighted the role of traditional leaders as impartial advisors in Nigerian politics, expressing concern that their involvement in partisan politics could lead to their humiliation by political figures.
He said, “Our Kings, especially the Obas from the Yoruba Land, would stop being humiliated by any political officers be it governors or the president when they stop being partisan in the Nigerian politics.”
“Our Kings are expected to be fathers for all politicians through the giving of advice and guidance on how to achieve good governance but not being partisans,” he said.
The occasion marked Governor Seyi Makinde’s invitation to Obasanjo to commission the newly reconstructed Oyo-Iseyin Road. During his speech, Obasanjo urged the kings and chiefs present to consistently show respect to both current and former political leaders by standing to welcome them at events.
He stressed the importance of respecting age and position in Yoruba culture, noting that a sitting governor holds significant authority.
Obasanjo reminisced about how, even during his presidency, he would prostrate before kings in accordance with cultural traditions. He encouraged the preservation of these cultural norms and the celebration of Yoruba heritage.
He said in Yoruba, “I greet the kings and chiefs here sitting; I am grateful that you are here. Let me say this: wherever the president or governor is, the kings present must stand up to honor him.
“In Yoruba land, there are two things that are most respected among others: age and position. When a governor is still in power, he’s more powerful than any king.
“Even when I was president, I prostrated for kings outside, and when we went inside, the kings would prostrate for me. So, let’s always celebrate our culture.”