The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has appointed Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) as the new Soun of Ogbomoso land.
The appointment comes after the passing of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who reigned for an impressive 48 years before his demise at the age of 95.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the selection process for the new monarch faced some challenges.
However, the Chairman of the Screening Committee for Laoye Ruling House in Ogbomoso, Abdulwahab Laoye argued that no one was chosen.
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Abdulwahab Laoye insisted that the family had not selected anybody to fill the vacant stool of Soun of Ogbomoso.
He also dismissed Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye’s installment as mere insinuations and social media reports.
He said:
“We did not select Ghandi and he is not among the eleven that the screening committee selected from 23 applicants. We do not want the matter to degenerate to the level of litigations, we scheduled a meeting on the 23rd of February and invited the council to observe, but the council hijacked the process from us and added another seven people on the claims that the seven people equally obtained the expression of interest form, thereby raising the number of the applicants to 18.”
However, a statement issued on Saturday by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola read otherwise.
Olayiwola maintained the announcement was the result of a lengthy process outlined in the law.
He said:
“His Excellency congratulates the new Soun-elect on his ascension to the throne of his forebears.”
He said the high position has enabled the monarch-elect to promote harmony, understanding, and tolerance among his people.
He also urged all the sons and daughters of the ancient city of Ogbomoso to work with their new monarch to strengthen the legacy of their ancestors.
