Oyo monarchs: No apologies to anyone, says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Mondaysaid he owes no one an apology over his position on the Oyo State traditional rulers whom he accused of disrespecting Governor Seyi Makinde.

At the opening of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, Oyo State, Obasanjo had asked some monarchs who attended the event to stand up to honor Governor Makinde.

The former president was angry that the monarchs failed to honour Makinde when he mounted the podium to speak.

This development was sparked by controversy while the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, knocked the former President, describing Obasanjo’s display as condemnable, saying it was an affront, desecration and sacrilege against revered stools of Yorubaland.

However, a statement signed by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, and made available to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said he did not send anyone to apology on his behalf.

One, Mrs Taiwo Obasanjo, said to be wife of the former President had reportedly begged for forgiveness on Obasanjo’s behalf.

But, the former President affirmed that “he stood firmly, unapologetically and uncompromisingly on the position that the Governor of a State holds the highest office in the State.”

The statement reads “The attention of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has been drawn to a statement purported to be issued by a wife of the President with the photograph of one Ms. Taiwo Martins as the author of the statement.

“For the records, Ms. Martins has two children, Jonwo and Bunmi, for Chief Obasanjo but to say emphatically that she is not his wife nor a member of the Obasanjo family.

“Her posturing as Chief Obasanjo’s wife is false and that of an impostor. Nobody makes statement on behalf of the Obasanjo family except Chief Obasanjo or people delegated by him to do so.

“It must be noted that the state of health of Ms. Martins is known to all and sundry and whatever she says or does has nothing to do with Chief Obasanjo as an individual or the Obasanjo family as a whole.

“However, the former President has affirmed that he stood firmly, unapologetically and uncompromisingly on the position that the Governor of a State holds the highest office in the State.”