Olubadan: Oriyomi Hamzat Alleges Obi Disrespected Yoruba Culture
Olubadan: Oriyomi Hamzat Alleges Obi Disrespected Yoruba Culture
Broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat has criticized former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of disrespecting Yoruba culture and the people of Ibadan through his congratulatory message to the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
The controversy arose after Obi, in a goodwill note on Saturday, referred to the monarch as “my dear brother,” a phrase that quickly sparked backlash on social media for allegedly breaching cultural etiquette.
Reacting on Sunday during his So Kan Wa Special programme on Agidigbo FM, Hamzat, speaking alongside guests, mocked Obi’s choice of words and described it as an affront to Yoruba tradition.
“Yoruba people, Ibadan indigenes, Obi has disrespected you. He addressed the Olubadan, a royal father, as his friend,” Hamzat said during the broadcast.
The Ibadan-based presenter clarified that his comments were not politically motivated but rather a defense of the respect due to the throne. “I am not trying to obstruct his chances of getting votes, I am only stating the facts,” he added.
Meanwhile, Obi, in a Sunday post, explained that his intention was never to slight the revered stool, stressing that his message was one of goodwill.
Hamzat further argued that even President Bola Tinubu avoided casual expressions when addressing the monarch.
“The President did not call him my friend, maybe he said brother. Olubadan has now turned to my father,” he said.
His criticism echoes earlier comments by former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who labelled Obi’s words as evidence of “lack of cultural sensitivity and diplomatic polish.”
Similarly, Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, said Obi’s remark showed “cultural ignorance and political arrogance.”
The backlash triggered wide debate on social media, with some Nigerians faulting Obi for a breach of tradition, while others defended his use of informal language as a gesture of warmth.
Obi, however, clarified his intention in a post on Sunday, insisting he never meant to slight the throne.
“Certainly, no disrespect intended in my goodwill message to His Royal Majesty. I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja,” he wrote.
Obi explained that he often uses the phrase “my dear elder brother” when addressing highly respected individuals, noting that he has affectionately referred to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, in the same manner.
“I have taken note of the concerns raised by those who felt my choice of words was inappropriate. I respect protocol and authority, and I make every effort to observe them,” he said, emphasizing that his message was rooted in genuine goodwill.
The debate comes in the wake of the coronation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, a ceremony that has attracted nationwide attention and warm felicitations from political and cultural figures across the country.
