Obi calls Olubadan ‘my dear brother,” provoking criticism
Peter Obi
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has drawn harsh criticisms for addressing the newly crowned Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as his dear brother.
While congratulating the 44th Olubadan, Obi had written, “I warmly congratulate my dear brother, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on his installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. His ascension to this revered throne is a celebration for the people of Ibadan and a source of pride for the entire Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.”
But Obi’s post has attracted nothing but displeasure from those who hold that the former Anambra governor and key opposition figure denigrated the newly crowned royal father by calling him “my dear brother.”
A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri reacted to this by saying Ladoja is a royal father and should not be flippantly addressed as “my dear brother”.
Omokri said, “Dear Peter Obi, His Royal Majesty, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, is a Royal Father. Therefore, he should not be flippantly addressed as “my dear brother”.
“The ancient throne of Ibadan predates colonialism. Ibadan was the largest city-state in West Africa. This is not some warrant chief created by the British in a land without natural rulers.
“The Olubadan is a First Class King and deserves honourable treatment from Nigerians. He is a warrior king and Kabiyesi (one who cannot be questioned).
“Can you, Peter Obi, refer to an Emir as ‘my dear brother’? Of course not! What you cannot do with an Emir, please do not try it with the Olubadan.
“Do you now see why you are not a fit and proper person to be Nigeria’s President? You are a low-cultured individual who lacks class and diplomacy. Yoy are not polished. The only thing you respect is money. You are a trader, not a leader. A person like you is more suited to man a stall at Onitsha Market than be the man at Aso Rock.”
In like manner, Lere Olayinka a media aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, blasted Obi on his Facebook page. He wrote: “This Mr ONE SHOE alias AGBOTIKUYO enh. Your brother or DADDY or ELDER BROTHER? Iru arifin wo ni yi bayi?” In another post, Olayinka, wrote: “Mr ONE SHOE alias AGBOTIKUYO’s age is 64. Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s age is 81. Oba Ladoja became Governor of Oyo State in 2003. Mr ONE SHOE became Governor of Anambra State in 2006. Can you refer to someone who is 17 years older than you as My Brother? Can Mr ONE SHOE address Obi of Onitsha as My Brother? Can he address President Obasanjo as My Brother?”
“Agbotikuyo” and “One Shoe” are terms Olayinka is known to have constantly used to deride Obi in his social media posts.
Users of X (fomerly Twitter) have also continued to bash Obi for calling Oba Ladoja “my dear brother.” A livid @YayaOseni wrote: “Never in your life, call Kabiyesi, my brother. Very disrespectful.”
Another person, @Contentisready, said, “He’s not your brother, he is your father. My love for you wouldn’t stop me from saying the truth. Don’t be uncultured. Ladoja na your papa mate.”
Yet another another user, @tfk_gawat, said , “You should hush sometimes! You call an Atiku your Leder brother but our Káábíèsí is your ‘dear brother. ‘ You and your handlers, I don’t know who should fire each other.”
