Twitter, a bustling digital town square where opinions flow freely, recently witnessed a seismic wave of discontent from Yoruba tweeps directed at former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. The cause of their collective frustration? A moment that struck at the very heart of Yoruba culture – the demand that monarchs, revered figures of tradition and heritage, rise from their thrones to greet a visiting dignitary.

In Yoruba land, customs and traditions are not mere relics of the past; they are the pillars of identity, deeply etched into the tapestry of daily life. Central to this cultural tapestry are the monarchs, who hold a revered status, not just as figureheads but as living embodiments of the Yoruba people’s rich heritage.

Obasanjo’s audacious command to these monarchs to stand up and greet him, as reported by numerous Yoruba tweeps, reverberated through the digital realm like a thunderclap. For the Yoruba, this gesture is akin to demanding the impossible, akin to commanding the sun not to rise. It defies centuries of tradition, where the monarchs are to be treated with the utmost respect, often greeted with profound obeisance and unwavering deference.

The Yoruba people are known for their deep reverence for their monarchs, not just as leaders but as repositories of wisdom and custodians of their culture’s intricate rituals. Monarchs embody the living connection to their ancestors, and their very presence commands a hallowed silence in which their words are weighty and their judgments, final.

In the wake of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s controversial request for Yoruba monarchs to stand and greet him, Yoruba Twitter witnessed a passionate discussion. Many were disheartened that the monarchs complied, and to express their discontent, they shared a video featuring the late Alaafin of Oyo.

In the video, the late king passionately rebuked governors who he believed had disrespected Yoruba culture by not paying proper homage to him. This clip became a symbol of a time when Yoruba monarchs fiercely defended their cultural heritage.

The contrast between the late king’s firm stance and the perceived compliance of today’s monarchs sparked a debate. Some argued that compliance might be a pragmatic way to navigate politics, while others viewed it as a departure from the resolute traditions of their culture.