A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is facing criticism for referring to the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as “my dear brother” in a congratulatory message.
Obi had taken to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to hail the monarch’s installation as the 44th Olubadan, writing:
“I warmly congratulate my dear brother, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on his installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. His ascension to this revered throne is a celebration for the people of Ibadan and a source of pride for the entire Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.”
However, his choice of words has drawn backlash, with critics noting that the Yoruba culture places great emphasis on respect for traditional rulers, particularly in the language used to address them.
A prominent voice in the criticism was former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who accused Obi of cultural insensitivity and a lack of diplomatic polish. “To refer to the newly crowned Olubadan as ‘my dear brother’ is a denigration,” Omokri said in a post on X.
For many Yoruba indigenes, titles and salutations are more than words — they are markers of hierarchy, heritage, and reverence.
