Don’t Come To Oke-Ogun Without An Apology– Indigenes Warn Obasanjo

Controversy has continued to trail the command issued by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to some traditional rulers in Oyo State on Friday.

The incident occurred during the commissioning of the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and Obasanjo was the special guest of honour.

In the course of the event, the former President commanded the traditional rulers at the event to stand up and sit down as a sign of respect to the governor.

Obasanjo while addressing the gathering, told the traditional rulers that the governor’s position is superior to that of any king.

Reacting to the action, indigenes of Oke-Ogun under the platform of Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin (EFI) called on Obasanjo to apologize to traditional rulers in the zone without further delay.

They noted that the former President should steer clear of the zone if he failed to tender an apology.

EFI reacted to the incident in a statement signed by its Vice-President, Mr. Bambi Abiodun, and Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Segun Fasasi.

The duo in the statement on Saturday, noted that the outburst by Obasanjo was unwarranted and not expected from a Yoruba elder and traditional chieftaincy holder.

They added that what Obasanjo did has caused global disrepute to the images of the monarchs and affected their collective psyche.

“We on behalf of true Yoruba sons and daughters, are using this medium to call upon the former President of Nigeria to immediately apologize to monarchs from Oke-Ogun zone for his undeserved remarks over his claim that they failed to stand up when the governor and himself climbed the podium at yesterday’s commissioning of the LAUTECH’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin.

“We understand that upon the arrival of the former President and the Governor to the event, all the people rose as a sign of respect to the duo and did same when they climbed the rostrum to make their speeches, what made Chief Obasanjo barked orders at our monarchs to ‘stand up and sit down’ like a school headmaster to primary school pupils.

“We want it to be on record that with this action of the elderly politician and supposed statesman, we expect his apology soonest and if he fails to do so, we will want him to know that he is not welcome to step in any of the Oke-Ogun communities.

“We did not benefit anything from his eight years reign as Nigerian President, why would he come here to shout on our Obas? Those that know him well to give him candid advice should tell him to immediately tender unreserved apology to the monarchs”.