The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has called on the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo to publicly tender apology to Yoruba traditional rulers for ordering them to sit and stand up at a function.
Obasanjo had on September 15 ordered traditional rulers at a function in Oyo State to stand up and sit down like school children.
Afenifere also called on governors in the South-West states to adopt the development plan designed and launched by the region for socio-economic development of their states.
The group castigated former President Olusegun Obasanjo for disrespecting the traditional values in a public function when he ordered some monarchs in Oyo State to stand up to welcome Governor Seyi Makinde.
The group demanded a public apology from Obasanjo for ridiculing the Yoruba traditional values.
These were contained in a communique issued and signed by Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, after its monthly meeting held at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday.
The group said the socio-economic plan entitled, ‘Development Agenda for the South West of Nigeria (DAWN),’ encompassed all the necessary ingredients needed to turn the fortune of the Yoruba states round.
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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 co-operation 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.’
Condemning the behaviour of Obasanjo towards some traditional rulers in Oyo State recently, the group called on state governors in South-West to exempt traditional rulers from standing up for public officeholders or any individuals on any occasion.
Afenifere urged the governors to take a cue from the honour accorded the Queen and King of England by public officeholders and the citizens.
The organisation also demanded a public apology from Obasanjo to the royal fathers he insulted.
The communique stated: ‘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, Yoruba, 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 rubbish of our noble tradition.
‘In that way, 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.’
Meanwhile, Afenifere expressed concern on how Yoruba culture is fading away, particularly among the young generation, thereby calling for use of the language of instruction in academic institutions.
It called on South-West governors to input in the curricula of primary and secondary schools that pupils and students are taught how to speak and write in Yoruba language.