From Segun Olatunji, Abeokuta
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State decried the struggle for supremacy among Yoruba traditional rulers.
Obasanjo said this when the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop residence.
The former president, who described the supremacy among Yoruba monarchs as “a distraction that could result in setback,” said delivery of good governance and welfare of their people should be of paramount importance to them.
Two first class traditional rulers in Ogun State, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo had recently engaged each other in a war of words over the ranking of the five major Yoruba Obas.
But Obasanjo explained that the monarchs should avoid such unnecessary confrontation and jealously guard the honour accorded their offices by demonstrating mutual respect for each other.
The former president recalled how he held consultations with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State during the contest for the Olubadan stool and commended the governor for “taking the right step.”
He noted that since it was God who enthroned the monarch, He would strengthen him to succeed.
In his response, Oba Adetunji commended Obasanjo for the role he played in his emergence as the 41st Olubadan.
The Ibadan monarch enjoined Yoruba monarchs to be united in order to move the race forward.