A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has condemned the rivalry for supremacy among Yoruba monarchs, which has recently pitted two prominent traditional rulers against each other.
Obasanjo, who spoke when the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, paid him a courtesy visit at his Presidential Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Thursday, described the supremacy battle as “a distraction, which could result in a setback.”
He noted that good governance and the welfare of their subjects should be paramount in the mind of the traditional rulers.
The former President also advised the monarchs to jealously guard the honour accorded their offices and demonstrate mutual respect for one another.
Obasanjo added, “I think that what is more important is to give good governance to the citizens and have mutual respect for ourselves.
“When I was President and even now, I usually accord respect to all Presidents, particularly to the ones with small population.
“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 a 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.”
The former President, who recalled how he consulted with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State during the process leading to the coronation of Olubadan, commended the governor for “taking the right step.”
Obasanjo noted that it was God who enthroned the monarch and prayed that he would succeed in leading the people of Ibadan in the right direction.
He urged the monarch to be trustworthy and ensure that he dispensed justice without fear or favour.
The ex-President stated, “Though all mankind are difficult to govern; I also know, from experience, that the people of Egba and Ibadan particularly are not easy to govern.
“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.
“Nobody is perfect, but once you are queried over some issues and you are able to defend yourself well, you can then leave the rest to God.”
Oba Adetunji commended Obasanjo for his role in his emergence as the 41st Olubadan.
The monarch called for unity among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland as part of efforts to move the race forward.
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