The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for ordering traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand and greet Governor Seyi Makinde during a project inauguration in Iseyin, Oyo State. Oba Akanbi described Obasanjo’s action as a desecration of Yoruba traditional stools and demanded an apology from the former president.
In a statement, Oba Akanbi expressed his trust in himself and his stool, emphasizing that respect should be earned, not demanded. He blamed the royal fathers who stood in obeisance to Obasanjo’s order and stressed that Yoruba traditional rulers are not uniform men who can be commanded at will. He called the display by Obasanjo condemnable and insisted that Yoruba traditional institutions demand an apology for the open desecration.
Obasanjo’s action had sparked controversy as some traditional rulers obeyed his order, while others remained seated, leading to a debate on the appropriate protocol for greeting governors and respecting traditional rulers in Yoruba culture.