Former Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has come under barrage of attacks for calling the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, “my dear brother” in his congratulatory message to the traditional ruler.
Recall that Obi, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to congratulate the monarch for his accession to the throne said, “I warmly congratulate my dear brother, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on his installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“His ascension to this revered throne is a celebration for the people of Ibadan and a source of pride for the entire Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.”
But reacting, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, berated Obi for what he called a lack of cultural sensitivity and diplomatic polish.
Omokri, in a post on X, accused Obi of denigrating the newly crowned monarch by calling him “my dear brother.”
“The 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, is a royal father. Therefore, he should not be flippantly addressed as ‘my dear brother,’” Omokri said.
“The ancient throne of Ibadan predates colonialism. Ibadan was the largest city-state in West Africa. This is not some warrant chief created by the British in a land without natural rulers.
In Yorubaland, it is a custom to accord high respect for elders and kings, and the careful choice of words must be strictly adhered when addressing them.
Peter Obi’s comment has been seen for disregarding age- long cultural norm, as he referred to the newly crowned king as “my brother.”
Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, in his reaction castigated Obi for what he called a lack of cultural sensitivity and diplomatic polish.
Omokri, in a post on X, accused Obi of denigrating the newly crowned monarch by calling him “my dear brother.”
The Olubadan is a first-class king and deserves honourable treatment from Nigerians. He is a warrior king and kabiyesi (one who cannot be questioned),” Omokri said, just as he also argued that Obi would not dare address an emir in similar terms, suggesting that the comment underscored why Obi is “not a fit and proper person” to be Nigeria’s president.
“Can you, Peter Obi, refer to an emir as ‘my dear brother’? Of course not! What you cannot do with an emir, please, do not try it with the Olubadan,” he said.
Also in his own rection, the media aide to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, described Obi’s reference to Olubadan as disrespectful.
Olayinka, in a series of posts on X, also described Obi’s choice of words as a demonstration of cultural ignorance and political arrogance.
“Mr One Shoe alias Agbotikuyo’s age is 64. Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s age is 81.
“Oba Ladoja became governor of Oyo State in 2003, Mr One Shoe became governor of Anambra State in 2006. Can you refer to someone who is 17 years older than you as my brother?
“Can Mr One Shoe address the Obi of Onitsha as my brother? Can he address President Obasanjo as my brother?” Olayinka said.
