Following the outburst of former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, against traditional rulers present at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday, September 15, the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs has sued for calm, saying that silence adopted by traditional rulers was not an act of cowardice.
The reaction came in a statement by the Deputy Chairman,
Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.
It will be recalled that Obasanjo, who was invited to the event by the state government, castigated the royal fathers present for not standing up whenever a president or governor stood to give a speech or during their entry into an event.
The former president had barked at the monarchs, ordering them to stand up. He had given another order, telling them to take their seats.
The outburst had generated anger and varied responses from Yoruba sons and daughters in all sections of the society.
In the statement, the monarch said: “First and foremost, I will like to emphasise 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. I, therefore, sue for calm over this issue.
“We want everybody to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected. Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. These ethos must reflect in our day-to-day activities.
“Let it, however, be well noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election, and 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.”
