Afenifere slams Obasanjo over ridicule of Obas, asks him to apologise

• Afenifere said the former president’s action was as if a military commander was giving orders to his troops
• The group stated that the monarchs are a reflection of the Yoruba tribe hence must be shielded from disrespect and humiliation

Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has expressed displeasure at former President Olusegun Obasanjo treatment of the tribe’s monarch Institution.

Recall that during the commissioning of a road project in Oyo on September 15, Obasanjo had instructed the traditional rulers who were present at the occasion to stand to greet Seyi Makinde, governor of the state.

The development elicited outrage on social media with some Nigerians accusing the former president of denigrating the monarchs.

Commenting on the matter, Afenifere asked the Obasanjo to tender a public apology to Oyo monarchs, describing the incident as “avoidable and unwarranted incident”.

In a communique issued on Wednesday, Afenifere said the former president’s action was as if a military commander was giving orders to his troops.

The group stated that the monarchs are a reflection of the Yoruba tribe hence must be shielded from disrespect and humiliation.

“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’!” the communique reads.

“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 rubishing 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.”