Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to tender a public apology to Oyo monarchs.

Obasanjo during the commissioning of a road project in Oyo on September 15, ordered the monarchs who were present at the occasion to stand to greet Seyi Makinde, governor of the state. The development sparked reactions on social media with some Nigerians accusing the former president of disrespecting the monarchs.

Commenting on the matter, Afenifere said it was shocked at the “avoidable and unwarranted incident”. In a communique issued yesterday, the group said the former president’s action was as if a military commander was giving orders to his troops.

“We Yorubas respect our traditional institutions, the arrowhead of which, are our traditional rulers, who traditionally and spiritually, have acquired the status of deities. It’s not surprising that they are referred to as ‘Igbakeji Orisa’!” the communique reads.

“In view of the attempt to ridicule the respected Obaship institution in Yorubaland, Afenifere hereby demands an unreserved Public Apology to Obas from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Our tradition describes who we are. As such, no effort must be spared to prevent the rubishing of our noble tradition.

“In that wise, it’s hereby recommended that Royal Fathers are spared the trouble to stand up at public functions as obtained in the United Kingdom among others.”