There has been uproar on social media over a viral trending picture that captured the moment for the usual “coronavirus greetings” which was seen that the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stayed seated while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwuni was standing.
It was seen from the viral picture and video that Tinubu sat down while the Ooni was standing when exchanging greetings.
AMILOADED gathered that the incident occurred during the formal coronation ceremony of the 15th Oniru of Iru land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal at his palace on 6th September 2020.
Tinubu , Lagos state Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi and the Ooni Ogunwusi were among dignitaries that attended the event.
However, the picture has sparked debate on social media as Nigerians took to their social media handles to raise questions and also involuntarily provided probable answers.
Some have also said Tinubu might have been caught unprepared cognizant that the monarch was also standing too close and standing up would have made it impossible to observe the ‘social distancing’ rule.
According to a social media commentator, Akintunde Bello Sheriff, “My experience has taught me that sometimes when a situation is too obviously messy, it is safer to become mute or incommunicado so as to allow the damage done heal naturally with time. By the time you try to rationalise or justify obvious gaffe, you will apparently open up your interest to a greater odium.
“Two things happened yesterday from the stable of those who are either supporting Tinubu or defending Kabiesi Alayeluwa Baba Ooni. They brought a picture where the late Sage Chief Awolowo was sited writing on paper while the Late Old Western Region Governor, Ooni Aderemi stood. Then they brought the amateur video of where Ooni Adeyeye arrived at the coronation of the Oniru.
“That video evidently worsened their case. The new Oniru was seen in the video picking up his hand fist when the Ooni managed to pass through a slim space at the base of the seat where the Oniru was sitting. I was alarmed that an Oniru tried to wave the Ilukere to the paramount Yoruba King our Ooni. That was not all, Tinubu pretended he did not know that Kabiesi Ooni was around. The Oniru had to pick Tinubu for him to majestically greet Ooni Adeyeye while he sat and the Ooni Risa was standing all through and even bending. And then Kabiesi went sitting. I will ask why was the Ooni not regaled under slaves cover as has been done severally in the past because Ooni usually do not sit and the public will watch?
“Chief Awolowo could not have written in standing position or in space. So his picture where he was writing on a paper in sitting posture while Ooni Aderemi watched can not justify the gaffe in Iru. They are two different things.
“It is pertinent to say that as Ooni, Baba may need to review how often he will be making himself available for some certain normal events. Familiarity breeds contempt and ridicule. The Oniru disrespected his Father Kabiesi Ooni. The emblem that any Ooni carries is the matter and not the person who is Ooni at a given time. The reasonable thing was for the Oniru to stand up, defer and hug Kabiesi Ooni at that event. If that was done, Tinubu will not have a choice. The Man who wants to be President of Nigeria according to his supporters nearly snubbed a whole Ooni. It is worrisome!
“This is why we will always acknowledge the highly cultural richness embedded in President Obasanjo. Tinubu is not greater than Obasanjo, yet Obasanjo has no problem prostrating for Yoruba Royal Fathers anytime and on any day regardless of whether it is in the open or otherwise. It is a big deal.
“The media handlers at the palace in Ile-Ife has more works to do in the protection of the dignity of Olori Alade, the Ooni. That video justification was very unnecessary and it opened further the floodgates of public disappointment.
“Note: I am constrained NOT to reproduce that video. I can not join in the denigration of a sacred stool as that of the Source or any royal stool for that matter.”
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, the Director of Media to Ooni of Ife, Comrade Moses Olafare who didn’t speak on behalf of the palace but spoke as a public analyst said: WHAT HAS OONI DONE WRONGLY BY GREETING TINUBU?
“Empowered by a right to my opinion on any matter of public interest as constitutionally guaranteed and morally justified, I herein express my take on this viral picture sadly misinterpreted by millions ofconcerned Nigerians, descendants of Oduduwa in particular, to mean that the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II had during an event left his seat to greet Asiwaju of Lagos, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a manner which they have found unacceptable.
“Even though It is not in the style of of the Palace of The Ooni of Ife(Ile Oodua) or that of Baba Ooni himself to formally respond to or make official statements on issues like this, but the inundation of public reactions has necessitated a non-official personal presentation of the true account from me. This I have to do not in my official capacity but as a stakeholder/public affairs analyst only with a view to assuaging the sad feelings of the millions of Nigerians who have expressed dissatisfactions based on the inexplicit picture.
“While I am in appreciation of your genuine outbursts(out of love) following your quick interpretation of the inexplicit picture, the video released by Face TV Africa and herein attached has thus revealed that Kabiyesi never left his seat to go and greet Asiwaju Tinubu or anybody as ostensibly judged.
“Baba Ooni on Sunday arrived venue of the coronation ceremony of the new Oniru of Iru in Lagos state, HRM, Oba Gbolahan LAWAL while Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Femi Hamzat was making his speech on behalf of the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu. the Deputy Governor as a mark of honor paused to allow the Arole Oduduwa ushered to the hightable where his seat had been reserved.
“Right there on the hightable, some dignitaries including the business mogul, Alhaji Razak Okoya had already stood to welcome Baba Ooni along the way, and in his characteristic humility, he started greeting everyone on the hightable while he walked quickly to take his reserved seat which was two seats after Tinubu’s. Should he have ignored Tinubu?
“Let me emphasize against the wrong notion that Kabiyesi left his seat to stand greeting Asiwaju Tinubu who had remained seated. He came in, greeted people along the way to his seat in his characteristic humility and people seated on the high table including Asiwaju also acknowledged and greeted Kabiyesi different ways they chose to do it.
“Reciprocated or not, humility is key in the strength of the Ooni Ogunwusi’s leadership style which he has vowed to exhibit for as long as he exists on this earth. He came from a humble background having been born of and raised by humble parents, he ascended the sacred throne of Oduduwa humbly and he will forever manage the throne very humbly.
“This is not a press release from the Palace of The Ooni of Ife(Ile Oodua) but my personal intervention as a stakeholding descendant of Oduduwa, progenitor of our race.
“Thank you and God bless as I apologize to those of you who may be offended by this piece.
“What has Ooni done wrongly by greeting Tinubu?.”
Below are some other reactions that trailed the development:
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