Oyo Monarchs Break Silence over Obasanjo’s Outburst 

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs has reacted to last Friday’s outburst of former President Olusegun Obasanjo against some traditional rulers who were in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

The outburst, which is described by many as humiliation of a traditional institution, has generated anger and varied responses from Nigerians in all sections of the society.

But the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, who is also the Vice-Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, in a statement he personally signed Tuesday, described the incident as an internal affair that would be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the council.

He said the monarchs involved understood the pain caused by the incident and appreciated the well-placed reactions, adding that the council’s silence is not an act of cowardice.

The statement read in part: “I would like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success, while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development.

“All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.

“I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair, which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

“Let me assure all Yoruba, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident, that our silence since Friday is not an act of cowardice. When we sit down with the governor and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately.

“Our governor respects us and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem.”

The monarch then sued for calm, urging Nigerians to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos, saying unity is sacrosanct.

He further noted that traditional rulers in the state have no regret in supporting President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election, stressing that the council “will be willing to support them even in the future”.

“This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded,” he stated.