Strip Obasanjo of all traditional titles – Yoruba group tells monarchs
A socio-cultural and pressure group of Yoruba descent, Yoruba World Congress (Worldwide) has advised traditional rulers in Yoruba land to strip former President Olusegun Obasanjo of all chieftaincy titles bestowed on him with immediate effect.
The group also enjoined the traditional rulers to walk out of any event where he (Obasanjo) is present or has the power to use the microphone henceforth.
News Men recalls that Obasanjo had on Friday, 15th September 2023 at an event in Iseyin, Oyo State commanded some traditional rulers to stand up and sit down.
Following public outcry, the former president was asked to publicly apologise to the traditional rulers.
YWC, has however advised the traditional rulers to strip the elder statesman of all the traditional titles bestowed on him without delay, over his failure to tender an apology.
The group in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Stephen Ajayi enjoined the traditional rulers not to honour any invitation not noble for the position they occupy and speak with one voice concerning the prestigious cultural heritage and the respect it deserves.
The group in the statement made available to News Men on Monday, called on the National Assembly to enact a law for the creation of ministry for the traditional rulers.
“We in Yoruba World Congress Worldwide (YWC) established in the UK is by this open letter, reject and dissociate ourselves from the actions of Obasanjo and call for a revisit of the constitution as regards the traditional councils.
“We hereby call on the Federal House of Representatives and the Senate to as a matter of urgency create a Federal Ministry for the Traditional Rulers attached to the Presidency, to manage, secure and sustain our cultural values and heritage. This should have nothing to do with the State or ministries in the state so that our Royal Fathers can get back the respect they truly deserve.
“We have waited patiently for Olusegun Obasanjo’s sincere and remorseful public apology to the traditional rulers (our Obas/Kings) present at the event and to the Yoruba race as a whole for defying our cultural heritage in an embarrassing and inhuman manner publicly, which was never tendered. YWC hereby advice our Kabiyesis’ to:
“Walk out of any event that he (Obasanjo) is present or have the power to use the microphone. Not honour any invitation that is not noble for the position they occupy going forward.
“Speak with one voice concerning our prestigious cultural heritage and the respect it deserves.Strip Obasanjo off all Yoruba Chieftaincy titles bestowed on him with immediate effect”.
