By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Iseyin, Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin (EFI) has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to apologize to traditional rulers in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State over his last Friday outburst at the commissioning of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH)’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin.
EFI in a statement by its Vice-President, Mr. Bambi Abiodun and Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Segun on Saturday, declared that the former President should forget about coming to any part of Oke Ogun should he fail to tender the apology to the traditional rulers.
The group stressed that Chief Obasanjo’s verbal assault on the traditional rulers was uncalled for, unwarranted and not expected from a Yoruba elder and traditional Chieftaincy holder, saying 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 apologize 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’s commissioning of the LAUTECH’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin”, it said.
EFI added, “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 barked 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.”
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 but took exception to the former President’s attitude.
New Nigerian recalls that Chief Obasanjo last Friday in Iseyin, lashed out at traditional rulers in the area, accusing them of sitting down when he arrived the venue of the commissioning together with Governor Seyi Makinde.
Chief Obasanjo at the venue, ordered all the traditional rulers at the venue to rise up from their seats and quickly ordered them to sit down back.
