Daud Olatunji
Immediate Past President Association of Yoruba Lecturers in Colleges of Education in Nigeria, Dr Soji Fajenyo has faulted former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for asking traditional rulers to stand up in the public.
The Yoruba culture expert described the action as arrogance, lamenting that Obasanjo would not try it with Emir and go Scot free .
Dr. Fajenyo spoke on the action of Obasanjo who angrily asked some traditional rulers to stand up as a punishment for their failure to stand up for Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde when he arrived the venue.
The action has spark off a lot of reactions as different stakeholders have started speaking on it, condemning Obasanjo for desecrating traditional institution.
Sharing his views, Dr. Fajenyo who is also a member, Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba Naijiria and Chief Lecturer Department of Yoruba, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, said two wrongs can never make a right .
He said ” Obasanjo is a kingmaker and an elder statesman in Yorubaland. He even talked about the promotion of our culture; yes, we must respect our culture.
“However, if the monarchs did not respect the governor, two wrongs do not make a right. He was supposed to be mild while calling the attention of the traditional rulers to the act in public, but when they meet inside, he can correct them.
“If it were in the olden days when the traditional institution was held in high esteem,this would not have happened. But,the reverse has been the case since the colonial era.”
Speaking on the current state of traditional institution, Dr. Fajenyo cited a situation where monarchs take orders from governors.
He said “ordinarily, they are not supposed to attend the event in person but send their representatives with their sceptre as symbols of their presence.
“Monarchs don’t usually leave their palace. When visitors come to his palace, they pay homage to him in his palace.
“What Chief Obasanjo asked the traditional rulers to do there, asking them to stand up means they should prostrate. Standing up is tantamount to prostration as a form of respect in Yoruba ethos
“Asking the monarchs to stand up in public is serious. If the late Alaafin or Soun of Ogbomosho were to be at the event, Chief Obasanjo would not have said that.
“Can Chief Obasanjo tell Awujale (of Ijebuland) to stand up where other Ogun traditional rulers converged? Or can he tell Alake to stand up despite that he (Obasanjo) is older than Alake? Let alone telling the Sultan to stand up, he would be dealt with before he leaves the palace.
” My view is that Chief Obasanjo showed arrogance, and it is not good. God elevates people.
“It is not good for Chief Obasanjo to be saying he can prostrate for an Oba in public, but in private, he will prostrate for him. He said it in annoyance. He is a kingmaker.
“We can say the traditional rulers erred for not respecting the office of the governor, but asking them to stand up is not good.”
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