- By Halimah Olamide
Mixed reactions have greeted Saturday’s announcement of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The approval for his emergence was granted by Governor Seyi Makinde in statement sent out by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Hours after the news of his appointment, there have been mixed reactions over his faith and how he will carry out the traditional rites expected of him as a first class monarch in Yorubaland.
Ogbomoso was believed to been founded in the mid 17th century and it is rich in Yoruba cultural heritage.
It was gathered that the announcement of Olaoye as the new Soun had thrown the ruling house into some confusion on Saturday with claims that the selection has not been transparent.\
Some family heads are said to have rejected the announcement berating head of the family, Prince Amos Olawole Olaoye.
They claim that the head of the family who was appointed 16 years ago, had betrayed them.
As a result of the feeling that Olaoye was not their choice, a petition was reportedly send to Makinde last week which was signed by some family heads. Some of those who signed the document are Alhaji Prince Garuba Lawal Tewogbola Olaoye (Ile Aremo), Alhaji Prince Saka Olabode Olaoye (Ile Bode), Alhaji Prince Oladiti Bello Olaoye (Ile Bayewuwon), Prince Raheem Oyerogba Olaoye (Ile Farayola) and Prince Jacob Oyewusi Olaoye (Ile Ajiteru).
Others are Prince Onaolapo Olaoye (Alatipo), Prince Usamah Abioye Olaoye (Ile Kapelaye), Hon Prince Tajudeen Olapade Olaoye (Daodu Olateju) and Prince Hamzat Oyeyemi Olaoye (Aribaba), while the Baale of Bolanta did not however append signature. The secretary of the ruling house Alhaji Prince Saka Olabode Olaoye also appended his signature.
Apart from the crisis from the family, there are concerns over Olaoye’s faith and the chances of clash of faith interests in the discharge of his traditional roles as a monarch of Ogbomoso.
A notable traditional ruler who himself had returned from the United States to be installed as the Oba of his town told NPO Reports Sunday morning that it will be “interesting” to see how Olaoye will combine his calling as a pastor with the duties of a traditional ruler.
“Congratulations. It will be interesting. A Pentecostal pastor on Traditional Yoruba stool,” the royal father had told the NPO Reports.
Also, a university don from the United States who also pleaded anonimity also expressed concerns over Olaoye’s emergence.
“I hope he won’t throw out all traditional stuff in the name of being born again oo,” said the university don who teaches at the University of Michigan said.
Olaoye is Senior Pastor of Jesus House, DC (JHDC), a thriving non-denominational, multi-racial, multicultural international Church located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Jesus House, DC, is a Church where “Hope is Restored, and Potential is Maximized for His Mission.” according to information obtained from the website of the Women in Ministry arm of the RCCG.
A graduate of English and Literary Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria (formerly known as ‘University of Ife’), he holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations with emphasis on Human Resource Management from Nigeria’s premier University, University of Ibadan.
In a statement made available to the NPO Reports by Prince Dotun Oyelade Commissioner for Information quoted Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola as saying in a statement on Saturday that the announcement followed the “long-drawn processes specified under the law.”
“His Excellency congratulates the new Soun-elect on his ascension to the throne of his forebears,” the statement said.
The Commissioner said the exalted position has placed the monarch-elect in the position to facilitate harmony, understanding and tolerance amongst his people.
The Commissioner also urged all sons and daughters of the ancient city of Ogbomoso to work with the monarch to consolidate the successes of his forefathers.
The last Soun, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III had joined his ancestors on December 13, 2021 48 years of reign.