By Huldah Shado
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that his congratulatory message to the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, was disrespectful, insisting that his words were borne out of goodwill.
On Saturday, Obi had taken to his official X handle to congratulate the 81-year-old monarch, describing him as his “dear brother.”
The choice of words, however, drew criticism from some Nigerians who argued that the monarch should have been addressed as a “father” rather than a “brother.”
In a follow-up statement on Sunday, Obi clarified that no slight was intended.
“Certainly, no disrespect was intended in my goodwill message to His Royal Majesty. I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned Olubadan.
“I respect protocol and authority and try, as much as possible, to adhere to them,” he explained.
Obi further noted that it is his style to use the phrase “my dear elder brother” as an affectionate expression of esteem, regardless of a person’s office or status.
He cited his consistent references to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, in the same manner.
“In matters of wrongdoing, motive is important. My words were borne out of untrammelled goodwill,” he added.
His clarification followed online debates over the appropriateness of his initial congratulatory message, with Obi stressing that it was never intended as a disregard for the cultural weight of the Olubadan stool.
