Oyo govt declares Soun’s removal of Saka Balogun illegal
The Oyo State Government has declared the purported removal of Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun as the Balogun of Ogbomoso by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, illegal.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, describing the action as “an aberration” under the state’s existing laws.
The government said the authority to appoint, suspend or depose a recognised Part II chieftaincy holder rests exclusively with the state governor.
Ojo cited Section 26(1) of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, which stipulates that such powers belong to the governor.
“Therefore, the purported removal of Dr Saka Balogun, the Balogun of Ogbomoso land, a Part II Chieftaincy holder by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso land, is an aberration and unknown to the existing law that guides the Traditional Council operations in the state,” the statement read.
The government consequently reaffirmed Balogun as the duly recognised Balogun of Ogbomoso and urged members of the public to disregard reports of his removal.
“In the light of this, Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun is the duly recognised Balogun of Ogbomoso land. Members of the public are hereby enjoined to disregard any such removal,” the statement added.
