Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo state, has urged all those who have contested the stool of Soun of Ogbomoso with Oba Ghandi Afolabi to sheath their swords and withdraw their court proceedings in the interest of the historic town’s peace.
Makinde, while pushing the royal families to do so by the end of the week, reminded the people of another town that, after 20 years of legal wrangling, got her king removed, noting that neither the ousted king, those who won in court, nor everyone in the town benefited from the matter.
He did, however, warn that if those in court refused to stop, he, as governor of the state, is also in the battle and will fight the course with everything within his government’s authority.
Makinde made the appeal on Tuesday, December 19, at the Soun Township Stadium in Ogbomoso, which was the site of the official coronation and presentation of staff to the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.
The historic event was seen by dignitaries from all walks of life in a big turnout.
Former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by Sir Olusegun Adekunle, Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), who was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, and Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun) led the dignitaries.
While congratulating the new monarch, Governor Makinde urged him to work for the unity of the town, the state, and the state traditional council as a whole.
Makinde said:
“I rejoice with the sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland. I have discussed with Kabiyesi privately the steps that must be taken to ensure the unity of Ogbomosoland. It is not just for the unity and progress of Ogbomosoland.
“You have to work for the unity of the traditional Council in Oyo state. There is no central unity in the traditional Council and I want you to work to have a role to play.
“It is a complete reconstruction for our House of Chiefs and House of Assembly, it is in our budget for next year.”
“The other thing I want to say is with those who contested the throne with Kabiyesi. As of last week, some people are still in court with injunctions.
“The contestation for the throne is behind us and I am looking forward to those in court withdrawing their court cases by the end of this week as a show of love for Ogbomosoland.
“Recall, a city in this same Oyo state took their king to court and after 20 years of legal tussle, the king was removed. Today, both the deposed king, the new one and the people of the entire community, none of them have any known peace.
“So, the people fighting must stop. If they don’t, me as the Executive Governor of Oyo state, we are in the fight together and I will ensure we fight them with everything within the powers of the government.
“I am a believer in the Constitutional roles of our traditional rulers and I will appeal to our new Kabiyesi to work for the progress of the state.”
In his goodwill remarks, Prof Osinbajo who lauded the new monarch described him as a man who loves people and speaks the truth always.
He said the two qualities are essentially needed by any leader expressing optimism that the people of Ogbomosoland will soon begin to feel the positive impact of the new monarch. He prayed for the successful reign of the new monarch.
Osinbajo said:
“I congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the choice of the people in Ghandi Olaoye.
“The person who is the new Soun is my close and intimate friend. What I know about him that makes me happy that he is our new king is that he is a man who loves people and humanity and I am sure he will show love.
“He is a truthful person. He doesn’t lie. All I see about him is that a king must love his people and be truthful. God will help you and support you.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Kwara Governor Abdulrahman and Osun’s Governor Adeleke commended Governor Makinde, the new monarch and the people of Ogbomosoland on their choice. They prayed for the success of the new monarch.
In his acceptance speech after receiving his staff and instrument of office from Governor Makinde, Oba Ghandi called on all the stakeholders “in the destiny of this great land for us to work together to ensure that Ogbomosho Land fulfils the great potential that the Almighty God has imbued us with.
“No community can embark on significant development without the government’s input. We are thankful for the role that the government at all three levels federal, state and local government has played in developing Ogbomosho Land in the past and continue to play.”
He called for the support of the indigenes of the town saying “Let my coronation be a celebration and a collective reaffirmation of our shared destiny. I intend to be a King to serve you all irrespective of religion, gender or other things that may differentiate us. The strength of our Kingdom lies not only in the crown I wear but in the bonds that bind us together: the bonds of loyalty, respect and mutual understanding.”
He said his service is premised on a clear vision of a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomosholand which rests on a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months.
He added:
“My service is premised on a clear vision. I am very aware of the words that the wisest of Kings recorded for us in the book of Proverbs that without a vision, the people perish.
“My vision for a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomosho Land rests on a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months.
“I promise to serve this vision with all I have, the relationships I have built over the years here in Nigeria and abroad, the experience I have garnered from running several successful businesses, and the skills garnered from more than 30 years of pastoring churches and other pastors.
“As I have said on several occasions, I have stopped being a church pastor and now become a shepherd of a people. The people whom I will serve as a shepherd are not just Christians but also Moslems who follow the various African religions. As your sovereign, I promise to uphold the values that define us a commitment to justice, equity and compassion. Let these be our watchwords in Ogbomosho Land.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Olu of Warri, Ogianne Atuwase III, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale among other traditional rulers.
Other dignitaries at the event include the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacheus Adedeji, former Ministers, Chief Sunday Dare (Youth and Sports), Lai Mohammed (Information), Senator Fatai Buhari (Oyo North), Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chairman, State Elders Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde among others.