Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been strongly criticized for ordering traditional rulers to stand up and greet him at an event.
Obasanjo gave the order on Friday at the commissioning of a 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin road and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus.
The ex-president, who spoke in Yoruba at the event, stated that despite the traditional rulers status, it was crucial for them to respect elders and those in positions of power.
Reacting to Obasanjo’s action, an activist based in Imo State, Ebubeagu Ekenulo, said the former president committed sacrilege.
“To order traditional rulers to stand up to greet and welcome you while they are ready is sacrilegious.”
“It is not our culture, custom, or tradition for traditional rulers to stand up for a president or governor.” he stated.
Mr.Ekenulo noted that “the traditional ruler is the father of the President or Governor, and fathers don’t stand up or go down to receive their children.
“Baba, let me ask you, can you command any Emir in any part of Northern Nigeria to stand up like that?
“The Yoruba people are known for absolute respect for their culture and tradition; how you failed on this is baffling and incredulous.
“This is arrogance; it is the least expected of you, sir.
“Baba, I urge you to tender an unreserved apology to those traditional rulers for the huge embarrassment,” the statement concluded.
