Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has clarified his congratulatory message to the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, following backlash on social media.
Obi had, in his goodwill message on Saturday, referred to the monarch as “my dear elder brother,” a phrase that some Nigerians considered disrespectful to Yoruba traditional institutions.
Critics argued that royal fathers deserve to be accorded the full weight of their titles in both private and public communication.
Reacting to the criticism in a statement shared on his official X account, Obi said his words were not intended to disrespect the revered monarch or undermine protocol.
Certainly, no disrespect intended in my goodwill message to His Royal Majesty,” Obi wrote. “I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
“I have read the concerns of those aggrieved by what they considered improper addressing. I respect protocol and authority, and I try, as much as possible, to adhere to them.”
He explained that he often uses the phrase “my dear elder brother” as an expression of affection and respect for individuals close to him, regardless of their status.
“Those who follow me would have noticed that I often prefer to use the expression ‘my dear elder brother’ when addressing individuals especially close to me and for whom I have tremendous respect”
“ I always refer to His Royal Majesty Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, as my very dear elder brother in the same affectionate manner,” he added.
The former Anambra governor stressed that his choice of words was borne out of goodwill, not disregard for tradition.
“In matters of wrongdoing, motive is important. I assure all that my words were borne out of untrammelled goodwill,” Obi concluded.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
