Stop Insulting Our Obas—Fayose Tells Tinubu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose has chided the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for saying that "the good Obas' in Yorubaland, who are forthright, firm and stand by the truth are not up to five, they are just three. Oba Awujale, Oba Akiolu and another," warning him to desist from insulting Yoruba Obas, especially those in Ekiti State."

Fayose, who described Tinubu's statement as an insult on the entire Traditional Institution in Yorubaland, added that; "Only someone without history and integrity will open his mouth to castigate our Obas, who are the custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition."

In a release issued on Saturday, and signed by the Director General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, the PDP candidate maintained that "traditional rulers in Ekiti State are not useless, and we take serious exception to any individual or group rubbishing our revered Obas."

He commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade for rising in defence of Yoruba Obas against Tinubu's insults, urging other notable traditional rulers to also "rise up and defend the Yorubas traditional institution, which is being ridiculed by Tinubu and his APC."

While eulogising the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, during his 80th birthday, Tinubu had said the Awujale was not part of the useless Obas in Yorubaland, who are sell-outs, we know them, and it is not yet time to mention names, adding that "The good Obas' in Yorubaland, who are forthright, firm and stand by the truth are not up to five, they are just three. Oba Awujale, Oba Akiolu and another."

However the PDP governorship candidate, in his reaction said the implication of Tinubu's statement was that "It is either all Obas in Ekiti State are not forthright, firm and honest or there is just one of them that is forthright, since he (Tinubu) had already mentioned two Obas among the three that he believed are forthright in Yorubaland.

Fayose also saw Tinubu's comment as a calculated attempt to cause disunity among our revered royal fathers by playing certain obas against others.

The PDP candidate said all true sons and daughters of Oduduwa must rise against any attempt by the politicians to sow discord among the traditional rulers through careless and unguided talks.

"We are also not unmindful of the refusal of the APC government in Ekiti State to pay palace staff and denial to our Obas the five percent share in the Excess Crude Oil Proceeds.

"Tinubu's statement is therefore a continuation of the APC's contempt for our traditional institution, and we condemn this insult on our revered traditional rulers in Ekiti State in its entirety.

"We also demand an apology from Tinubu and his party, APC."

Lere Olayinka
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