Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday re-established the constitutional position of elected political office holders when he ordered some traditional rulers to stand up at a public event.

Obasanjo, who was the guest of Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde was in Iseyin to commission the Iseyin Campus of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

The ex-President was the Special Guest of Honour who unveiled the commemorative plaque and Commission the project.

He also commissioned the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road project and inspected the Fashola Farm and Estate along the Oyo-Iseyin Road.

But speaking in Iseyin, in what could be described as a panoramic turnaround of event, Obasanjo, whose voice ricocheted like that of a military general dishing out orders, expressed dismay at what he described as disrespect and disregard for the office of the Governor.

Apparently reacting to what he observed as the traditional rulers remained on their seats while he and Governor Makinde were called to the stand for their remarks, he fumed saying the Yoruba culture give regards to both age and positions among others.

Addressing the monarch in Yoruba language, Obasanjo said the position and authority of a Governor or a President at any event supercedes that of any traditional ruler in attendance.

He maintained that even though Governor Makinde may be young, he occupies a highly exalted office that demands respect from the monarchs.

He admitted that although when he was the President he prostrated for Kings and monarchs in the public, many of them, he said, prostrate for him once they enter the room.

According to him, “You monarchs and traditional rulers, I greet you all. Thank you all for being here. But let me say something, anywhere there is the President or a governor, there is no monarch or king, he has to stand up for the governor or President.

“Stand up. Sit down.”

He added: “Please, in Yorubaland, there are two things that we respect among others.

“Age and position. Governor has a position that supercedes that of any monarch or traditional ruler when he is still the governor. When he is no more a governor, it is another thing.

“Even when I was the President, I do prostrate for Kings but when I entered into the room, kings would prostrate for me. So, let us extol our culture and tradition by promoting the same,” he said.

Some of the monarchs in attendance include Olugbon of Orile Igbon Oba Francis Olusola Alao; Okere of Saki Oba Khalid Oyebisi and other monarchs. (The Nation)

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