Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has explained why he addressed the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as “my dear brother” following criticism on social media.
Obi had used the phrase in his congratulatory post on X (formerly Twitter), where he celebrated Ladoja’s installation as the 44th Olubadan, describing it as a moment of pride for Ibadan, the Yoruba people, and Nigeria. However, some critics argued that his choice of words violated cultural protocol.
Responding to the backlash in another post, Obi clarified that his message carried no disrespect. He emphasized that he often uses the expression “my dear elder brother” as a mark of affection and respect, even when referring to prominent figures like the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.
“I have read the concerns raised, and I assure all that my words came purely from goodwill. I respect authority and protocol and always try to adhere to them. However, those who know me understand that I frequently address people I hold in high regard as ‘my dear elder brother,’” he explained.
Obi stressed that intention matters in such contexts, and his words were simply an expression of warm regard for the monarch.
