Obasanjo Orders Oyo Traditional Rulers To stand up and greet him

On Friday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo reiterated the constitutional authority of elected officials during an event where he instructed certain traditional leaders to rise and greet him.

Obasanjo issued this directive while inaugurating a 34.85 km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus, home to the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources.

Speaking in Yoruba, the ex-president emphasized the importance of traditional rulers showing respect to their elders and those in positions of power, as it contributes to preserving the Omoluabi culture of the Yorubas.

He stated, “Thank you. Please, take your seats. Firstly, I extend my greetings to all monarchs and royal fathers, and I appreciate your presence here. However, let me clarify something: whenever the governor or the president is in attendance, even royal fathers should stand in honor of the president (or the governor).”

“Stand up! You may then take your seats. Please!!!” he instructed them.

The statesman emphasized, “In our (Yoruba) culture, we hold two main principles in high regard: age and position. The governor’s position takes precedence over that of any monarch, as long as he is still the governor.”

He added that even during his tenure as president, he respected traditional rulers, underlining the importance of promoting cultural values and systems.

The retired military officer served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its president from 1999 to 2007.