With due respect to Baba Iyabo , I have observed lately that penchant for double speak and desire to ignite unnecessary controversy is one thing nobody can take away from former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ ). If a man ,through God’s grace survived where many have perished , rose through the ranks to become a General in the Nigeria Army, Minister , Head of States and lately President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, could still not EARN respect,particularly in the midst of his own people, then Baba needs to check or re-evaluate himself.
With my little knowledge about the Yoruba culture and tradition, the occupant of the throne is considered not only the oldest,but the wisest and most superior and honourable in the community. No matter the age of the monarch, and I dont think any constitution can take away such honour from our Traditional Rulers.
Having listened to the bizzare sermon of the former President to Yoruba monarchs at a public event in Oyo State, and the crude manner by which it was delivered, one would wondered what Baba Iyabo was up to.Is it not the same OBJ who has been seen and captured on camera prostrating before other monarchs ,outside of Yorubaland ?
The danger here is that, If care is not taking, very soon ,Local Government Chairmen would begin to demand respect from some revered traditional rulers in public , since the former ,according to the constitution, is “superior ” in rank to the latter. The simple truth here is that the Obas and the governors know how to respect one another at public functions without necessarily being prompted by a third party or MEDDLESOME INTERLOPPER .
Above all, we must commend our monarchs for showing superior maturity by tolerating the excesses of our their subjects.
I also read OBJ recently claiming that Nigerian Refineries can never be fixed. This is somebody who was given the opportunity to rule the nation for eight years .You can imagine such a comment coming from a supposed elderstatesman.What Baba is simply telling us as a people is that what he cannot achieve as President,no one can achieve it . I think ,we must now understand why Nigeria is not working .
Yaqoub POPOOLA is a journalist and Public Affairs Commentator