By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The most revered monarch in the Yoruba Land, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, did not enjoy the courtesy of being greeted with respect by the former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, according to internet chatter collated on September 10.
The Ooni was pictured in standing position and bowing slightly to greet Tinubu, who remained stationary in his seat while receiving the salutation with clinch fists.
Both men met at the at the coronation of Oba Oniru in Lagos on September 6.
The Ooni of Ife is the most powerful king in Yoruba land, and the first among equals in the Yoruba monarchy.
The Yoruba greet their kings lying on their stomach. The O’oni receives even more as he is the most revered in the monarchy of the tribe. But Tinubu simply greeted him like he would anybody.
This is not the first time the Ooni would be treated without such a high regard. In 2017, a video footage shows the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, snubbing the Ooni at a public event.
At the event, the Ooni had thrown his hands over to greet the Oba of Lagos, but what he got was a snub in the manner of dismissive wave.
Former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, says Tinubu’s action speaks volume.
“That the Asiwaju of Bourdillon refused to stand up to greet the Ooni of Ife speaks volumes. This was not only deeply insulting to every Ife and indeed son and daughter of Odua but it is also a crying shame. Would a northern politician, leader refuse to stand up for his traditional ruler?” he asked.
Another Nigerian, Okunola Olatunde, said via his tweeter handle @OkOlatunde4r that: “Tinubu has no respect for anybody but his Political ambition. He can only go to any lent to betray his people to get what he wants.
So his respect for a traditional ruler like Ooni of Ife doesn’t matter to him.”
Okey Santos tweeting @09909390 said: “Frankly speaking, seeing Ooni of Ife standing with his hands clasp while speaking with sitting Tinubu is disgusting. I am not Yoruba but this is opposite of all my perception about that throne. This makes a joke of all I know of Yoruba & their king,” he said.
But @LordLakes1 defended Tinubu saying: “It’s very clear that Tinubu wasn’t expecting it. it was Oniru that drew his attention to Ooni’s greetings. It came all of a sudden that’s why he used that hand as a sign of respect,” he said.