Its no longer news that Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye has been selected among the 25 jostling to become the next Soun of Ogbomosoland. But his selection has continued to generate mixed reactions from the public.
Recall that the stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Soun Ajagungbade 111 on 12th of December 2021 at the age of 95.
The aspirants for the stool includes; Prince Gbolahan Idowu Oyegoke (Kapelaye),Prince Surajudeen Lawal Olaoye (Bode-Eniafe), Prince Tirimisiyu Gbolagade Bello( Bayewuwon),Prince Abayomi Isaac Jacob Oyewusi (Ajiteru), Prince Gbadamosi Taofeek Lawal Olaoye (Aremo), Prince Mohammed Gazali Jamiu Oyetunde (Aremo) Prince Isiaka Oluwasegun Lasisi (Alatipo) Prince Ismail Kayode Olaoye (Bode-Eniafe), Prince Olabode Akeem Olayide Olaoye (Bode -Eniafe).
Prince Musibau Adeniran Alimi (Bayewuwon), Prince Amusa Felix Bello (Bayewuwon), Prince Peter Olatunde Olaoye (Kapelaye).
Others are, Prince Abubakar Abduganiyu Akano (Daodu Olateju), Prince Johnson Olusola Olaoye (Kapelaye), Prince Taofeek Adeyemi Akorode Olaoye (Kapelaye), Prince Olalekan Olaoye (Bode- Eniafe), Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye (Kapelaye), Prince Badmus Babatunde Olaoye (Aremo), Prince Abdulrahman Hamzat Adebayo (Bayewuwon), Prince Surajdeen Akorode Olaoye (Aremo), and Prince Muhammed Nurudeen Bello Olaoye (Bode-Eniafe).
National Insight reports that some members of the Olaoye family and aspirants are not satisfied with the process which produces Prince Ghandi Olaoye as the crown prince.
While some are insinuating that none of the aspirants have been selected, reliable sources disclosed that Ghandi’s name have been submitted fo the government for proper ratification and approval.
Some of the allegations against the selection of Ghandi Olaoye include the undue influence of the vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was said to be a close friend of the crown prince and
interference of the Local Government officials and some kingmakers who they alleged of imposing their candidate on them by undoing what the family has already decided.
The also alleged that some of the kingmakers have been paid huge sums of money by some of the aspirants before they eventually gave it to the higest bidder.
Also, the aggrieved opposition to Ghandi’s emergence said the international businessman who based in Washington DC was not among the first eleven selected by the family after the screening excercise before the local government officers and the kingmakers invited all of them for another screening.
One of the aspirants who was also screened revealed that “Already, the laoye family had screened and approved 11 candidates but the kingmakers and council officials later invited everybody again to start fresh screening, 25 aspirants were screened even one of us who was not around was interviewed via phone and what we heared later was that two of us were successful and they have to vote and the rest is history, this is unjust and unfair, we are not comfortable with it and we want Governor Makinde to decline the approval of the appointment of Prince Olaoye Ghandi as the land.
Although there was a peaceful protest by some of the family members a source informed this. the newspaper that the petitions have been submitted to the governor’s office to stop the process due to lack of transparency.
A check at the governor’s office as at the time of writing this report reveals that no petition has been received concerning the development and the officer declined the request for the name of the crowned prince submitted to the governor.
Apart from the selection crisis, some quarters in the historical town are worried about the fate of custom, cultural values and tradition of Ogbomoso if a pastor becomes king but a source close to Pastor Ghandi said the clergyman will add value to the throne by promoting culture and traditions of the land and used his wealth of experience and influence to attracts more development to Ogbomoso.
