Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has addressed the backlash that trailed his congratulatory message to the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Obi had, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, referred to the monarch as “my dear brother,” while congratulating him on his installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. He described the monarch’s ascension as “a celebration for the people of Ibadan and a source of pride for the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.”
However, his choice of words was met with criticism from some Nigerians, who argued that such an address was a breach of cultural protocol in referring to a traditional ruler.
Reacting to the backlash in another post on Sunday, Obi clarified that his intention was never to slight the Olubadan or disregard royal traditions. He explained that his message was borne purely out of goodwill and respect.
“Certainly, no disrespect was 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 said.
The former Anambra State governor further explained that he frequently uses the expression “my dear elder brother” when addressing people close to him or those he holds in high esteem. He cited his regular affectionate references to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, as an example.
“I have read the concerns of those aggrieved by what they considered improper addressing. I respect protocol and authority and try, as much as possible, to adhere to them. However, those who follow me know that I often prefer to use the expression ‘my dear elder brother’ when addressing individuals especially close to me,” Obi noted.
He emphasized that in evaluating issues, motive should be taken into account, stressing that his words were “borne out of untrammelled goodwill” and not intended to cause any offense.
