Erelu Tinuade Mabel Onaneye is a United State of America (USA)-based business woman and a custodian of Yoruba traditional history in the diaspora, and the titleholder of Erelu Oodua and Irawo Oni Oodua of Yoruba land. In this interview with Akinrinlola Olumide, she criticised the endorsement of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) by some Yoruba Traditional Rulers across the six states in the South-West, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
Excerpts
Kings are the custodian of culture and tradition, is it right for any king to involve himself in politics?
About your question, this is my view about it, to tell you the truth, it is not okay for the Royal Fathers, our Monarchs to be parading themselves with politicians or the political bodies. A proverb says “The Stool” is meant to stay at home and always to be seated upon. The monarchs are supposed to manage the affair of the town, cities, and villages around them which is called a kingdom. If you look at the definition of the word Kingdom, from a Political angle, it further stresses why the king should not be hanging around political rallies with politicians.
A video of where Yoruba Monarch led by Ooni of Ife reportedly endorsed Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling APC went viral three days ago, what’s your reaction to this?
I have seen the video clip. These Monarchs were led by the Ooni of Ife to a political rally with Tinubu a few days ago. A King should be known with royalty and respect. The king is to be at the palace, the political leaders will come to them and present their manifestoes and not the other way. The King must not play favouritism or belong to a particular political party because everybody belongs to the king. Take, for instance, the whole of Nigeria, it is only in Yoruba land that you will see the King at every public function. You can’t see the Oba of Benin Kingdom anyhow in a public function let alone a political rally. Never! Our royal fathers should learn from this.
It may interest you to know that Tinubu Visited the Oba of Benin seeking his blessings over the 2023 presidential election, in his humble way, the Oba of Benin blessed him that he will get home safely and he wishes him Goodluck, that is a true King. I am very disappointed that some Kings in Yoruba Land left their palaces and attended Tinubu’s political meeting in Ibadan. I thank God that it is not all the Monarchs in Yoruba Land that attended the rally or the so-called Political Campaign at Ibadan. Some of them understand what is called royalty. I thank God that the King of my Town the Halu of Aye Kingdom did not attend the rally in Ibadan because it is against our culture. The political party or the Political leaders are meant to visit the palace to seek the King’s blessing but not that the King will leave his palace for a political meeting with politicians, it is an abomination because it is uncalled for. How many times have you seen the Queen of England hanging around politicians or campaigning for a particular political party in the Uk? It is never done. Even in Nigeria, have you seen the Northern kings, I mean the emirs of Northern states campaigning for a particular political party? it is never done but in Yoruba land, our Yoruba Monarchs will travel from their palaces to the Northern part of Nigeria to identify with politicians and give support to a particular political party. What a Shame!I think they need to know their responsibilities if they don’t know, the monarch needs somebody to advise them. It is never done, it is not okay.
What message do you have for Nigerians as they elect a new president on Saturday?
My advice for Nigerians especially people eligible to vote in Nigeria for the upcoming election on Saturday is that they should give peace a chance and vote wisely. My people should not sell their votes for peanuts. I pray that God gives us the right leader in Nigeria.
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