…Says his presidency added no value to S/West in 8 years
By Stephen Gbadamosi
A socio-cultural group based in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin (EFI), has called on former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to apologise to traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun area of the state “over his outburst at the commissioning of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH,), Ogbomoso’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin at the weekend.
Chief Obasanjo was reported to have tongue-lashed the traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun, Ibadan, Oyo and Ibarapa who graced the occasion over what he termed disrespect to ‘constituted authority,’ because they failed to stand up when the governor and himself climbed the rostrum for their addresses.
The group, through a media statement signed by its vice president, Mr. Bambi Abiodun; and Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Segun Fasasi, on Saturday, said the outburst was unwarranted and not expected from a Yoruba elder and traditional chieftaincy holder, “as it has caused global disrepute to the images of the monarchs and affected their collective psyche.”
“We, on behalf of true Yoruba sons and daughters, are using this medium to call upon the former president of Nigeria to immediately apologise to monarchs from Oke-Ogun zone for his undeserved remarks over his claim that they failed to stand up when the governor and himself climbed the podium at yesterday (Friday)’s commissioning of the LAUTECH’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin.
“We understand that upon the arrival of the former president and the governor to the event, all the people rose, as a sign of respect to the duo, and did same when they climbed the rostrum to make their speeches.
“What made Chief Obasanjo bark orders at our monarchs to ‘stand up and sit down’ like a school headmaster to primary school pupils?
“We want it to be on record that with this action of the elderly politician and supposed statesman, we expect his apology soonest; and if he fails to do so, we will want him to know that he is not welcome to step in any of the Oke-Ogun communities,” they said.
EFI said the former president dampened the joy of all Iseyin residents who all trooped out to welcome the governor for his good gestures over the development of the community and Oke-Ogun in general and took exception to the former president’s attitude.
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They said further that his reign as a former Nigerian president in 8 years did not benefit the region or the South-West states in general, as the Ibadan – Ogbomoso – Ilorin road he initiated was still under construction till date.
“We did not benefit anything from his 8-year reign as Nigerian president; why would he come here to shout on our obas? Those that know him well to give him candid advice should tell him to immediately tender unreserved apology to the monarchs,” the statement demanded.
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