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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has appealed to all those who contested the stool of Soun of Ogbomoso to sheath their sword and withdraw all court cases in the interest of the ancient town.
Makinde made the appeal during the presentation of staff of office to the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, at the Ogbomoso Township Stadium, on Tuesday.
While urging the contestants to withdraw all the cases in court before the week runs out, the governor reminded the people of another town who after 20years of legal tussle got her king removed, saying both the deposed king, those who won in court and everyone in the town are not benefitting from the matter in any way.
Makinde, however, warned that if the contestants fail to withdraw their cases, he is also ready for the battle and will fight with everything within his power as the governor of the state.
“I rejoice with the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso land. I have discussed with Kabiyesi privately the steps that must be taken to ensure the unity of Ogbomoso land.
“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.
“There is going to be 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 for those who contested the throne with kabiyesi. As at last week, some people are still in court to get injunctions.
“The contest for the throne is behind us and I am looking forward to those in court withdrawing their court cases by end of this week as a show of love for Ogbomoso land.
“Recall that a town 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, 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 constitutional roles for our traditional rulers and I will appeal to our new kabiyesi to work for the progress of the state,” the governor said.
In his goodwill message, former vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, lauded the new monarch, describing him as someone who love people and speak truth always.
He said the two qualities are essentially needed by any leader and expressed optimism that the people of Ogbomoso will soon begin to feel the positive impact of the new monarch.
“I congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the choice of the people in Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
“The person who is the new Soun is my close and intimate friend. What I know about him that makes me happy is that he is a man who loves people and humanity and I am sure he will show the 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,” Osinbajo said.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and Osun State Governor, Sen Ademola Adeleke, commended Makinde, the new monarch and the people of Ogbomoso for their patience and steadfastness. They prayed for the successful reign of the new monarch.
Speaking after receiving his staff and instrument of office from Makinde, Oba Olaoye called on all the stakeholders to work with him to ensure that Ogbomoso land fulfills 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 the three levels have played in the development of Ogbomoso land in the past and still playing.
“Let my coronation be a celebration and a collective reaffirmation of our shared destiny. I intend to be a king that serves 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.
Oba Olaoye said his service is premised on a clear vision of a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomoso, with a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months.
“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 Ogbomoso 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. I have now become a shepherd of people. The people whom I will serve as a shepherd are not just Christians, but also Muslims and 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 Ogbomoso land,” the new Soun said.
Akinwande