Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister and prominent political figure, has expressed profound sadness and dismay over former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent interaction with traditional rulers in Oyo state.
In a post on X, Fani-Kayode criticised Obasanjo for his perceived disrespect and condescension toward revered Yoruba monarchs during a recent public event in Oyo state.
Obasanjo had ordered the monarchs to stand up to recognise him as he mounted the podium during the event.
Fani-Kayode described Obasanjo’s behaviour as “utterly mortifying” and recounted how the former President had once displayed respect and humility by bowing, kneeling, and prostrating before traditional rulers, even during his presidency.
However, he asserted that Obasanjo’s recent actions conveyed a different attitude, with the former President allegedly addressing the monarchs as if they were children, ordering them to “stand up” and “sit down.”
His words:
”I am deeply saddened and utterly mortified by the way in which former President Olusegun Obasanjo lambasted our revered traditional rulers in Oyo state and “ordered” them to “stand up” and “sit down” as if they were children.
”This is the same OBJ that, once upon a time, displayed his respect, humility, and I daresay greatness by bowing, kneeling and prostrating before our monarchs, even when he was President, yet today he talks to them as if they are his garbage collectors and orders them to jump up and down like a molue driver talking to his beleaguered passengers and a motor park tout talking to a bunch of jobless and worthless underlings.
”Many think that the whole thing is some kind of joke but I do not. We must not take it lightly, and the truth is that by doing what he did, he has spat on all our faces.
”His words and behaviour are a desecration of our values and a grave insult to the Yoruba people and our traditional institutions.
”I am constrained to be gentle and restrained in my criticism of Baba OBJ on this and so many other issues because of the undying love, respect and reverence I have for him. This is all the more so given the fact that I proudly served in his government.
”Baba, this is too much. Please respect yourself and stop embarrassing those of us that still have some affection and respect left for you.”
