Obasanjo Decries Supremacy Tussle among Yoruba Monarchs

Obasanjo Decries Supremacy Tussle among Yoruba Monarchs

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, today condemned the seeming rivalry for supremacy among Yoruba monarchs, describing hierarchical struggle as "a distraction which could result to setback.

Obasanjo who spoke when the new Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, said monarchs should jealously guard the honour accorded to their offices and also demonstrate mutual respect for each other.

According to the former president, "I think that what is more important is to give good governance to the citizens and also have mutual respect for ourselves.

"When I was the president and even now, I usually accord respect to all presidents, particularly to the ones with small populations.

"I do this because I realised that no matter how densely populated a country might be, it has the same one vote at the United Nations just as a country with few people.

"For instance, Nigeria with a population of about 180 million has the same vote with Sao tome with a population of 150,000."

While recalling how he consulted with Governor Abiola Ajumobi of Oyo State during the tussle for the Obaship of Ibadan, he said: "I commended the governor for taking the right step."

He, therefore, urged the monarch to be trustworthy by ensuring that justice prevails.

"Though it is all mankind that are difficult to govern, but I also know from experience that the people of Egba and Ibadan particularly are not easy to rule.

"I pray that God who puts you there will help you to succeed. What is most important to any leader, be it traditional, political or religious is for him to be trustworthy," Obasanjo said.