Mrs Taiwo, the wife of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, issued a heartfelt apology to the Yoruba race and traditional rulers following a recent incident involving her husband.
The controversy unfolded during a project commissioning ceremony led by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, where Obasanjo was a special guest of honor.
He took the opportunity to chastise some Yoruba traditional rulers for what he perceived as a lack of respect towards him as a former president. In a somewhat stern manner, he instructed them to stand up and acknowledge his presence.
Obasanjo said, “Anywhere there is a Governor or President, no traditional ruler has to stand up and greet the governor or the President. Stand up. Please, in Yoruba land, we respect two things: age and position.”
This incident generated a lot of reactions, with organizations like the Yoruba Council Worldwide and prominent figures like the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, demanding an apology from Obasanjo within three days.
However, in an emotionally charged statement titled “Oyo Kings: A Plea for Forgiveness,” Mrs. Taiwo Obasanjo, a legitimate member of the Obasanjo family, appealed for forgiveness from all Yoruba sons and daughters, regardless of their background or beliefs.
In her statement, she expressed her deep concern about her husband’s actions during the event. She stated that the manner in which he addressed the monarchs was not acceptable, as it showed open contempt and humiliation. She stressed that protocols should have been observed privately and respectfully, with love and friendliness.
The statement partly reads:
“Monarchy is an institution God Himself established before any political government came up to manage the affairs of men.
“I want to publicly state here that on behalf of the family, the children, the wives, the grandchildren and all members of the family of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, l am offering a big and genuine apology both spiritual and physical to all the kings of Oyo State, all the kings of Yoruba land and the entire Yoruba race both in Nigeria and Diaspora.
“Please, l beg for permanent and eternal forgiveness and pardon from all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide, fathers and mothers, youths, teenagers and children, Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers, all leaders in Yoruba land and the Council of Kings in Yoruba land. Please l humbly appeal with all humility don’t avenge on any of us the misdeeds of Daddy Obasanjo.