Afenifere to Obasanjo: Apologise for ridiculing traditional rulers

The Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to apologise to Oyo traditional rulers for ridiculing them, the Yoruba culture and tradition.

Rising from a meeting at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo state, the group lashed Obasanjo for “rubbishing the noble tradition.

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 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.

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.