Obasanjo Insists On Directive to Oyo Obas, Says Monarchs Are Subordinate to Governors

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has insisted that traditional rulers in the country are subordinate to the state governors.

According to him, there is culture and the constitution, adding that under the Nigerian constitution, the governor is the leader of their state.

Obasanjo stated this, in a statement issued by his media aide, Kehinde Adeyemi, in his reaction to the criticisms trailing his directive to some of the monarchs in Oyo State, at a public function in the state.

The former President at the event had asked the monarchs who were seated while Governor Makinde arrived at the venue, to stand up for him, in line with the established protocols.

Obasanjo on Monday, said he stood firmly and unapologetic on his position, warning that apology to the affected monarchs as being demanded, would amount to deriding the office of the Governor and the Nigerian constitution.

The former military Head of State said he acted the way he did because the monarchs acted with utter disrespect to Governor Makinde, according to a report by Premium Times.

“As we arrived (at the venue with the governor), every other person at the venue rose, but they (the monarchs) remained seated. I was surprised because I considered that a breach of protocol and disrespect for the governor.

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“It later became the turn of the governor to speak. As he rose, every other person at the venue, including me, stood up as demanded by protocol and in respect for the governor and his office. Again, the Obas refused to rise. They all remained seated.

Meanwhile, I then asked people around whether that was the practice in Oyo State. I was told the Obas have always displayed disrespect for their governor. I wondered where they got that from and then decided to speak to them about it.

“As far as I am concerned, there is constitution and there is culture. By our constitution, the governor is the leader of a state. Everyone must respect him no matter his or her status or age. He deserves respect no matter how young he is and protocols must be observed.

“That was why I spoke to them the way I did. I wanted them to realise that it is not part of Yoruba culture to disrespect authorities. Respect begets respect and they must learn to deal with their governor with respect if they want to be respected in return.

“I respect traditional rulers and even when I was President and till today, I treat them with reverence. t prostrate, bow, and kneel before them as necessary.

“I respect our culture. But let us also know that there is a constitution that puts a chairman as head of a local government, a governor as head of a state, and a president as head of our country. Whatever we do must be in respect for that arrangement. I am saying there is culture and there is constitution. One must not disturb the other,” the former president was quoted as saying.