Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has distanced himself from the apology issued by Madam Taiwo Martins, who had previously apologized on his behalf for directing certain monarchs in Oyo State to stand up for Governor Seyi Makinde. Obasanjo, during a public event, had asserted that a governor holds more power than any king when he gave the command to the monarchs.
Madam Taiwo Martins, who claimed to be associated with Obasanjo, extended an apology on his behalf following the incident. However, in response to the apology, Obasanjo disowned her and reaffirmed his stance, asserting that he stands by his comments.
In a statement released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo expressed his displeasure at the actions of “one Ms. Taiwo Martins,” who authored a statement on his behalf, appealing to Obas (kings) and Yorubas to forgive him as her husband. While acknowledging that he and the woman share two children, Jonwo and Bunmi, Obasanjo categorically stated that she is neither his wife nor a member of his family.
“For the records, Ms. Martins has two children, Jonwo and Bunmi, for Chief Obasanjo but to say emphatically she is not his wife nor a member of the Obasanjo family.
“Her posturing as Chief Obasanjo’s wife is false and that of an impostor. Nobody makes statement on behalf of the Obasanjo family except Chief Obasanjo or people delegated by him to do so.
“The state of health of Ms. Martins is known to all and sundry and whatever she says or does has nothing to do with Chief Obasanjo as an individual or the Obasanjo family as a whole,” the statement said.
The statement added that Obasanjo has affirmed that “he stood firmly, unapologetically and uncompromisingly on the position that the Governor of a State holds the highest office in the State”.
“By that position, the respect, protocol and dignity that must be given to the Office by virtue of the Constitution must not be denied. To do otherwise is to deride the Office and the Constitution,” the statement added
Obasanjo had previously garnered criticism from several Yoruba individuals when he instructed Oyo monarchs to stand up for Governor Seyi Makinde. The incident occurred during the commissioning of the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, where Obasanjo was invited as a special guest of honor by Governor Makinde.
During his address at the event, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of respecting the office of the governor and the culture of the Yoruba people, which places significance on both age and position. He noted that the governor’s position holds superiority over that of any king in the context of governance.
