Iseyin: Obasanjo Attempted To Ridicule Those In The Rank Of Gods – Afenifere Demands Public Apology

The Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere has knocked former President Olusegun Obasanjo for what it termed a ridicule of the Yoruba traditional institution as a recent public event in Iseyin, Oyo State.

The group while referring to the incident on September 15, 2023, in which Obasanjo ordered some traditional rulers to stand up and then sit down during a road commissioning in Oyo State hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde said the former Nigerian leader subjected those next in rank to the gods (igbakeji orisa) to ridicule.

According to them, Obasanjo’s act as if a commander was giving orders to his troops is nothing but an attempt to ridicule the obaship traditional institution in Yorubaland.

They therefore demanded nothing short of a public apology from Obasanjo for what transpired between him and the traditional rulers in Oyo State.

Naija News reports Afenifere made their stand known in a communique issued at the end of the group’s meeting which was held at Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s home in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Wednesday, September 27.

The communique read in part: “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.”

Afenifere Reietartes Support For Tinubu

The Yoruba socio-cultural group while declaring support for President Bola Tinubu urged him to deploy new methods to ensure the stabilization of the Naira and tackle other economic and security challenges facing Nigerians.

“Afenifere reaffirms its support for the current government ably led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and calls on all well meaning Nigerians to support the government in the onerous task of resuscitating our economy and improving the quality of life of all citizens.

“In order to ensure the survival of Yoruba language as the most important element of Yoruba culture, Yoruba should be the medium of instruction from Primary One to Three. Thereafter, it should become a compulsory subject for every pupil in Primary School and for every student in secondary schools. It must be offered as one of the compulsory subjects in the school certificate examinations.“

It also urged southwest Governors to speed up work on regional integration based on the template of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.