The Yoruba Emancipation Union Worldwide has expressed displeasure at what it termed “the uncontrollable dances at every available public occasion, wherever and whenever” of the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The group, In a statement, obtained by InsightMedia on Tuesday said that while there is nothing wrong in expressing joy through dancing, the number one citizen of Osun state ought to dignify his public office with proper posture, decency and decorum, which his frequent dances do not portray.
The statement signed on behalf of the group by Prof. (Dr.) Ajayi, EFG reads in part: “Yoruba race, indeed epitomizes great postures, decency and decorum in cultural values. Thus, throughout the years of socialisation processes, and upbringing of the Yoruba child, he /she is given the right cultural values of the Yoruba race, to produce a man or woman of impeccable posture, decency and decorum.
“We therefore, feel deeply disturbed and concerned by the uncontrollable dances of our brother, Governor Jackson Adeleke of Osun state. We state with heavy heart that, the uncontrollable dances at every available public occasion, where ever and whenever he appears in the public is becoming, indeed very worrisome.
“There is nothing bad if a leader dances in certain situations. Dancing is part of ways by which human beings express their joy, whenever they experience successes, breakthroughs, promotions or fulfilled dreams. Yes, we are free to ‘let off the steam’ at suchlike times.
“We state with heavy heart that, the uncontrollable dances at every available public occasion, where ever and whenever he appears in the public is becoming, indeed very worrisome.
“There is nothing bad if a leader dances in certain situations. Dancing is part of ways by which human beings express their joy, whenever they experience successes, breakthroughs, promotions or fulfilled dreams. Yes, we are free to ‘let off the steam’ at suchlike times.
“However, a Governor of a state, is not an ordinary person. He is a public figure occupying the number one position in a whole state of millions, of his people. Therefore, Governor Ademola Adeleke must realize the truth, he should demonstrate the characters, carriage, posture, decency and decorum of the number one citizen of his state, and not the opposite. He must realize the importance of the high office and not demean the exalted office, either by commission or omission, of his personal conduct.”
The group further stated that it is wrong for Adeleke who is in his 60’s, to send wrong signals to the younger generations through his public dancing.
The statement continues: “To reduce the office of the highest citizen of a state to personal immoral frailties and traits is absolutely wrong, indeed, an aberration, and a misnomer. It is wrong devaluation of such a public office, and by implication, sending very wrong signals to the younger generations who have been woefully dehumanized by the prevailing political, economic, socio-psychological crises, currently plaguing our beloved nation.
“Unfortunately, Governor Adeleke is not a young man, if he were in his early 30s, he may possibly be excused, but for a man of over 60+ to dance publicly as he does, naturally signify that something, is wrong somewhere. His strokes and body mass are a mockery to his office, maybe he does not know, and of course, when he does that with some funny looking women publicly, the sensibilities of reasonable people, are utterly offended. We add in Yoruba, ‘olowo ijo baun, die die lolowo njo, olowo ijo baun’. The Biblical passage to the effect that ‘when I was young, I used to think and act like a young man….but when I became of age…is apposite’.”
Subsequently, the group called on the Osun State Governor to consider their complaints and make necessary adjustments, recognizing that though a custodian, his office actually belongs to the people of Osun State.
“We like to appeal to our brother Governor Adeleke, to kindly look into this matter and reflect soberly on same, knowing fully well that his office, belongs to the good people of Osun State and as a custodian, he should desist from acts lowering the esteem, of his exalted position.
“A king should not dance naked, in the market place”, the statement concluded.
