Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has addressed the controversy surrounding his goodwill message to the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Obi explained that his choice of words, particularly referring to the monarch as “my dear elder brother”, was borne out of genuine goodwill and not intended as disrespect to royal traditions.
“I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. I respect protocol and authority, and I try, as much as possible, to adhere to them,” Obi stated.
He stressed that he often uses the phrase “my dear elder brother” when addressing revered figures he holds in high regard, citing Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, as another example.
Reno Omokri reacts
Obi’s clarification follows criticism from political commentator Reno Omokri and others, who argued that the expression was inappropriate for addressing a monarch.
Responding, Obi emphasized that motive matters in communication, assuring Nigerians that his words were born out of “untrammelled goodwill.”
