The Yoruba World Congress (Worldwide), a socio-cultural group of Yoruba descent, has called on traditional rulers in Yoruba land to revoke all chieftaincy titles bestowed upon former President Olusegun Obasanjo. This request comes in response to Obasanjo’s recent actions at an event in Iseyin, Oyo State, where he ordered some traditional rulers to stand up and sit down, leading to public outrage.
The Yoruba World Congress (YWC) has urged traditional rulers to boycott any event where Obasanjo is present or has control over the microphone until he offers a public apology to the offended traditional rulers. The group emphasized the importance of upholding the prestigious cultural heritage and respect that traditional rulers deserve.
Furthermore, the YWC has called on the National Assembly to consider enacting a law to establish a Federal Ministry for Traditional Rulers attached to the Presidency. This ministry’s purpose would be to manage, protect, and preserve cultural values and heritage, separate from state-level ministries, in order to ensure that royal fathers receive the respect they are entitled to.
In a statement released on Monday, the Yoruba World Congress Worldwide expressed its rejection and dissociation from Obasanjo’s actions and called for a constitutional review regarding traditional councils. The group reiterated its demand for a sincere and remorseful public apology from Obasanjo to the traditional rulers and the entire Yoruba race. Until this apology is issued, the YWC advised traditional rulers to walk out of events involving Obasanjo, decline invitations lacking nobility, and unite in safeguarding their cultural heritage by revoking Obasanjo’s Yoruba chieftaincy titles.
