..Tinubu also called older Olubadan ‘my brother’ -Nigerians Remind Wike’s aide, Olayinka
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has cleared the air on why he called the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, “my dear brother” after suffering backlash on social media.
The former Anambra State Governor faced backlash in his congratulatory message to the traditional ruler.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to congratulate the monarch for his accession to the throne, Obi said, “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.”
Obi’s choice of words drew criticism from several quarters, which was described as a breach of cultural protocol.
But reasponding in a post via his official X handle on Sunday, the LP chieftain clarified that his words were never intended to slight the throne, stressing that his message was borne out of goodwill.
“Certainly, no disrespect intended in my goodwill message to His Royal Majesty. I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.”
He explained that he often uses the expression “my dear elder brother” to address individuals close to him and for whom he has tremendous respect, citing his frequent affectionate references to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, in similar terms.
“I have read the concerns of those aggrieved by what they considered improper addressing. I respect protocol and authority, and I try, as much as possible, to adhere to them. However, those who follow me would have noticed that I often prefer to use the expression ‘my dear elder brother’ when addressing individuals especially close to me,” he noted.
“In matters of wrongdoing, motive is important. I assure all that my words were borne out of untrammelled goodwill,” Obi added.
Certainly, no disrespect intended in my goodwill Message to His Royal Majesty.
I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
I have read the concerns of those aggrieved by what they considered improper addressing.
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) September 28, 2025
Meanwhile, the attempt by Lere Olayinka, an aide to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to mock the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has backfired after he criticised him for calling the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, ‘my brother.’
Olayinka had taken exception to Obi’s reference of the Olubadan as his brother, claiming it was against the culture of the throne since Obi was 17 years younger. But it turns out that President Bola Tinubu who is also eight years younger than Olubadan, also called him ‘my brother,’ in a post on his X handle.
Tinubu has said: “…Today in Ibadan, as we celebrated the coronation of my brother, friend, and ally, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, I was reminded once again that history rewards perseverance, resilience, and service to community….”
When netizens pointed to Olayinka Tinubu’s own reference of Olubadan as his brother, he dodged the issue.
On X, netizens have descended on Olayinka.
@MrIhekanacho said: “Stop being selective on social media criticism,Comment on this.”
@emmysong2 said: “Omo see what politics has been reduced to . My dear brother my dear elder brother omo you be terrible human sha. People are dying, people are suffering, few are stealing the nation’s wealth and laundering our collective wealth and future yet see wetin be our problem .”
@OreoluwaOlanipi1 said: “Oga go and sit down….you just like to stay relevant by chasing clout all the time. What’s wrong in calling the king his brother? After all they were both colleagues once upon a time when they were Governors of their respective states. So keep your hatred aside and focused.”
@obadipeemmanuel said: “Doing boyboy at this your old age is not golden at all. Pls stop embarrassing your children.”
@omowomaOseh said: “Stop this divisive ethnic nonsense, my friend, and focus on real issues.”