The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has weighed in on the recent encounter between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and traditional rulers in Oyo State.
In the incident, Obasanjo reprimanded the monarchs for not standing to greet Governor Seyi Makinde at a public event, leading to widespread criticism and accusations that he disrespected the Yoruba traditional institution.
However, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan, expressed a different perspective on the matter.
He described the incident as unfortunate and clarified that Obasanjo was a respecter of tradition and did not intend to undermine the traditional rulers.
Speaking at his Alarere residence in Ibadan during his 81st birthday celebration, the Olubadan emphasized his long-standing relationship with Obasanjo, stating, “Obasanjo is my brother and friend. We have been together for a long time. He is not disrespectful, as being alleged.
“He is a respecter of traditional stools. What happened on the said day when Obasanjo was barking out orders at members of the Council of Obas and Chiefs at a function in Iseyin is quite unfortunate. Both sides didn’t expect the way the media turned it to.”
PUNCH METRO reported that the incident in question occurred at a public gathering in Iseyin, where Obasanjo directed the traditional rulers to “Stand up! Sit down!” to show respect to Governor Makinde. A video of this encounter went viral, leading to widespread condemnation.
Oba Lekan Balogun’s defense of Obasanjo sheds light on their close relationship and offers an alternative perspective on the incident. The controversy had raised concerns about the boundaries between traditional customs and modern protocol, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding such matters.
Furthermore, the Olubadan addressed the ongoing issue of the selection of kings, acknowledging that these processes often result in litigation. He attributed this recurring problem to the failure of those responsible for electing or selecting kings to fulfill their traditional roles, emphasizing that until these selection processes become more just and transparent, litigation would continue to be a defining feature in the selection of monarchs in Yorubaland.
