The Chairman of Ogbomoso North local government, Hon. Kabir Ayoade has described a statement credited to the former chief of staff of Oyo state, Dr. Saka Balogun that he illegitimately included Oba Ghandi Afolabi’s name in the list of eligible candidates prior to the selection process of the new Soun of Ogbomoso land as misleading.
The chairman, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by his media assistant, Olamide Aderibigbe, urged the general public and to whom it may concern to discountenance Dr. Saka Balogun’s assertions bearing his obvious advancement in age in mind.
The statement reads: “Disclaimer: Correcting The Misleading And Distortion To Accurate Historical Facts In A Statement Made By Dr Saka Balogun At The Just Concluded 2023 Ogbomoso Parapo Day.
“We find it imperative to adequately address some fallacious statements of Dr. Saka Balogun at the Ogbomoso Parapo Day Occasion held on the 26th day of December, 2023 alleging that the Chairman of Ogbomoso Local Government, Hon. Kabir Ayoade was solely responsible for the illegitimate inclusion of Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s name in the list of eligible candidates prior to the selection process of the new Soun of Ogbomoso Land.
“In specifics, Dr. Saka Balogun asserted that only eleven candidates were shortlisted initially by the Olaoye Royal House and that it was Hon. Kabir Ayoade, the Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government who registered the new Soun’s name, Oba Ghandi Olaoye and 11 others in the list.
“While we hold Dr. Saka Balogun in high esteem, we cannot close our eyes to the possible damages, resentments, incitements and above all, distortions to the accurate historical representations of facts that such statements are bound to cause.
“To start with, 23 eligible Princes from the Olaoye Ruling Family obtained forms sold by the family to indicate interest in ascending the throne and Oba Ghandi Olaoye was one of the 23 candidates as evident in the list submitted to the Chairman. In fact, we have it on good authority that certain important elements from the Olaoye Family reached out to the Chairman to remove Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s name from the list but he declined their request and upheld the principles of fairness and justice to all.
“The list which was signed by the Olaoye family was received by the local government, a covering letter was prepared with it and in turn forwarded to Ministry of Local Government and chieftaincy matters for futher action as required by law. The Chairman has no involvement whatsoever in the selection of the king.”
“We urge the general public and to whom it may concern to discountenance Dr. Saka Balogun’s assertions bearing his obvious advancement in age in mind.”
