Peter Obi has come under criticism from Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent Yoruba cultural commentator and media personality, for allegedly disrespecting the Yoruba people and the Olubadan of Ibadan.
Hamzat argued that Obi’s comment, in which he referred to the Olubadan as “my brother,” was inappropriate and offensive.
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“Peter Obi disrespected the Yorubas and the Ibadan people by calling the Olubadan ‘My brother’,” Hamzat said.
“You see, in Yoruba land, we don’t do that. We don’t call our kings ‘brothers.’ It’s a sign of disrespect.
“When you address a king, you use the proper titles and respect. Calling him ‘brother’ is not acceptable.”
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On Sunday, a video of Hamzat making these comments began making waves on X, with thousands of users reacting and sharing their opinions.
Hamzat stressed that this is not just an Ibadan issue but a matter of preserving the entire Yoruba cultural heritage.
“This is not just about Ibadan; it’s about the entire Yoruba culture.
“We have our traditions, and they must be respected.
“Peter Obi, as a public figure, should know better. This kind of statement can cause unnecessary tension,” he added.
He further clarified that congratulating a king is acceptable, but it must be done in a culturally appropriate manner.
“We are not saying he cannot congratulate the king, but he must do it in a way that respects our culture.
“This is why we are saying, ‘No man’s land’ nonsense that they do in Lagos, we don’t do that here in Ibadan.
“Ibadan is not Lagos. We have our own ways, and we will protect our culture,” Hamzat said.
The controversy has sparked reactions online, particularly on X, where users are debating Obi’s choice of words, with some calling for cultural education for public figures, while others defend Obi, arguing it was unintentional.
Hamzat concluded with a call for respect. “Peter Obi needs to apologize to the Yoruba people and the Ibadan people for this disrespect.
“So, let this be a lesson to everyone. When you are in Yoruba land, respect our kings. Respect our culture. It’s that simple.”
