How the Yoruba Omoluabi Culture of Respect and Loyalty Gives Them Political Stability – Reno Omokri

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has praised the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria for their distinctive culture of respect and loyalty.

Omokri, who is a renowned author, speaker, and activist, said that the Yoruba people value Omoluabi, which means a person of good character, morality, and virtue. An Omoluabi is honest, humble, generous, compassionate, responsible, and respectful of others.

He said he witnessed a smooth transition of power from one loyalist to another in the Southwest, which is different from the South East, where he comes from, and other regions in Nigeria. This has ensured continuity, harmony, and progress in the region.

The social media influencer said the Southwest is the most politically stable part of Nigeria. Unlike other regions where governors often clash with their predecessors or benefactors, the Southwest has witnessed a smooth transition of power from one loyalist to another.

For example, in Ekiti state, the former governor, Ayodele Fayose, is on good terms with the former Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and the present Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. Governor Oyebanji also prostrated flat for Chief Afe Babalola, a respected elder and leader in the state. This shows the culture of respect and loyalty among the Ekiti people.

Another example is General Olusegun Obasanjo, who was Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007. He refused to take over power from President Shehu Shagari in 1983 when he was offered by the coup plotters. He said that he would not betray the man he handed over power to in 1979. This was the second time Obasanjo rejected power due to his morality. The first time was in 1975 when he persuaded General Murtala Mohammed to accept the offer of the coup plotters who overthrew General Yakubu Gowon.

These examples show how the Yoruba Omoluabi culture of respect and loyalty has given them political stability and integrity. They have been able to maintain their dominance in their states and influence in the country without resorting to violence or aggression. They have also been able to attract more defectors from other parties who admire their culture and values.

The Yoruba Omoluabi culture is a lesson for other ethnicities and regions in Nigeria who are facing political instability and chaos. They should learn to respect and be loyal to their leaders and elders who have done well for them. They should also learn to serve before they can command effectively. As the Bible says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Omokri wrote: “The Yoruba Omoluabi culture of respect and loyalty has made the Southwest the most politically stable part of Nigeria. Only in the Southwest has a Governor handed over to his loyalist, and that loyalist has remained loyal and respectful to him, and even after sixteen years, they continue their dominance in their states. It is due to their culture of respect.

“Look at Anambra. Soludo quarrelled with Willie Obiano less than six months after Obiano made him Governor. And he sacked Obiano’s loyalists. The same thing Obiano did to Peter Obi. The same thing Theodore Orji did to Orji Kalu in Abia. The same thing Sullivan Chime did to Chimaroke Nnamani in Enugu. The same thing Rotimi Amaechi did to Peter Odili and Nyesom Wike did to him. And in Edo, Obaseki turned against Oshiomhole.

“Outside the Southwest, the only other Southern region where a Governor has showed loyalty to his benefactor was in Delta State, where Emmanuel Uduaghan showed loyalty to James Ibori, even when Ibori was in jail. It may be because Itsekiri culture is almost identical to Yoruba culture.

“Even in Northern Nigeria, it is the same. In less than three months, Uba Sani is secretly undermining Nasir El-Rufai. It happened and is still happening in Kano, Sokoto, and all over the North. Except in Borno state.

“Look at Ekiti. Fayose is on good terms with the former Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and the present Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. And even the incumbent Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, prostrated flat for Chief Afe Babalola.

“General Babangida testified how General Olusegun Obasanjo refused the offer of the December 1983 coup plotters to take over from President Shagari because he would not take power from the man he gave it to. That is why they now settled for Buhari, who was not the ring leader of the coup. Very few cultures could produce a man who could reject power due to his morality, like the Yoruba. And his hat was the second time Obasanjo refused power.

“When Murtala rejected the conditions given to him by Joe Garba, who was the man that actually overthrew General Gowon (Murtala was abroad when the coup was carried out), Garba and his mid-level officers then offered the position to Obasanjo, who refused and instead persuaded Murtala to accept their offer.

“Learn something from the Omoluabi ability of the Yoruba to stoop to conquer and win through non-violent weapons such as wisdom and patience. Respect and loyalty have given them on a platter of gold what aggressiveness and ego have not achieved for some other ethnicities. If you will not first learn to serve, you cannot effectively command,

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”-James 4:6.

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