Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs said that its silence about the outburst of former President Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) since Friday is not an act of cowardice.
The Council of Obas and Chief revealed this in a release signed by its Deputy Chairman of the Council, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, and made available to REPORTERS AT LARGE on Tuesday.
“When we sit down with the Governor and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately,” Olugbon of Orile-Igbon added.
The outburst of former president Chief Obasanjo against the traditional rulers has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of the society.
The release reads in part: “First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development.
“All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.
“I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
“Let me assure all Yoruba, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident that our silence since Friday is not an act of cowardice. When we sit down with the Governor and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately.
“Our Governor respects us, and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem.”
Oba Alao sued for calm over the issue, saying “We want everybody to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected. Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. This ethos must be reflected in our day-to-day activities.”
He also noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election. He added that they “will be willing to support them even in the future.”
The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon emphasised that “This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded.”
