The Oyo State Government has rejected the purported removal of Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, insisting that Balogun remains the duly recognised holder of the chieftaincy title.
The government said the action was contrary to the provisions of the Oyo State Chiefs Law, which vests the power to appoint, suspend or depose certain recognised chieftaincy holders in the state governor.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, and made available to journalists.
According to the statement, the government’s attention had been drawn to media reports concerning the purported removal of Balogun by the Soun of Ogbomoso.
It cited Section 26(1) of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, stating that the power to appoint, suspend and depose a Part II recognised chieftaincy holder rests exclusively with the governor.
The government consequently described the reported removal of Balogun by the monarch as inconsistent with the existing law governing traditional council operations in the state.
“In the light of this, Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun is the duly recognised Balogun of Ogbomosoland,” the statement said.
The government urged members of the public to disregard reports of his removal, maintaining that he remained the recognised holder of the title.
The development places the state government at odds with the reported action of the Soun of Ogbomoso over the chieftaincy title, with the government relying on the provisions of the state’s Chiefs Law to support its position.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
