Kingmakers Install Ghandi Laoye As Soun Of Ogbomoso

A former pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, on Friday, was installed as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland in Oyo State.

Laoye, who was based in the United States of America, got to Ogbomoso early in the morning on a private chopper, which landed at Ogbomoso Grammar School, before moving to the palace.

Recall that the Soun of Ogbomoso stool became vacant after Oba Jimoh Oyewumi transited to the great beyond, on December 12, 2021.

However, some members of the family opposed the approval, thereby heading to court, arguing that he was not part of the process right from the beginning and that he shouldn’t be crowned against their wishes.

However, on Saturday, September 2, the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, had in a statement issued by his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, approved the selection of Olaoye as the next Soun.

Again, on Thursday, the state High Court in Ogbomoso restrained the governor, the Attorney General of the State and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters either by themselves, agents, or officials from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of the certificate of installation to Olaoye until the final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.

However, the new monarch was at the palace, on Friday, for an official installation which was performed at Abata by the kingmakers led by the Areago High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin.

The kingmakers said they did not receive any court injunction restraining them from installing Ghandi as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

He is billed to begin the traditional rites soon.