Oba Ghandi’s court victory meets judgement in sight of law, people, God – Afolabi Olaniran
Femi OGUNLANA
Mr. Afolabi Olaniran retired from the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) as a Director and is currently Chairman of the Governing Board of Federal Government College, Ogbomoso, Oyo state. In this interview by ogbomosoinsightonline.com via WhatsApp, he congratulated the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, on the victory he nicked in one of the suits challenging his nomination (and installation) at an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, urging the litigants and others opposed to him to bury the hatchet. Olaniran, who graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU (then University of Ife, UNIFE), Ile-Ife, Osun state like Oba Ghandi Olaoye, now expressed optimism that as a graduate of the influential university, the Oba is bound to be a maker of history and not instrument of history, an euphemism for saying he will perform creditably well as Soun just as he notes that the victory by the monarch satisfies the three types of judgment – ‘the judgement of the court, the judgement of the people and the judgement of God.’ Excerpts:
How did you receive the victory notched by Oba Ghandi in one of the suits challenging his installation?
A Daniel has come to judgement! Traditionally, there are three types of judgement: the judgement of the court, the judgement of the people and the judgement of God. Justice Adedokun has, unequivocally combined the three. His ruling was co-terminus with the rule of law and in consonance with the axiom of fairness and justice and in absolute alignment with people’s expectation. You are quite aware that the voice of the people is the voice of God.
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From the early steps and utterances of the new Soun, do you have hope he will contribute significantly to the growth and development of Ogbomoso?
From what I have seen and heard from him, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege lll is not waiting for the opportunities to be created for the much needed economic and physical growth and development in Ogbomoso land, he is ready, eager and willing to create the opportunities. I have seen in him an uncommon and unparalleled Oba with robust national and international connections and relevant monarchical dispositions that will gradually usher in an era of prosperity in Ogbomoso land. Honestly, the Oba possesses the dynamism necessary for growth and development.
He bagged his first degree at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), incidentally, where you also graduated, how do you think the university prepared His Majesty for this new role?
Without being driven or agitated by sentiments, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo), which the Oba and I attended, is noted for training students to be makers of history and not instrument of history. If you go through the University and you allow the university to go through you, you can never be an instrument of history in whatever capacity you find yourself. I have no doubt that Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege lll would be a maker of positive history on the throne.
“Let Ghandi be” isan article you wrote last year after his nomination by the kingmakers was challenged, what motivated the write up?
I was impressed by the bravery and exceptional courage of Chief Otolorin and his co-kingmakers for their unanimous endorsement of the choice of the people and for holding tenaciously to their choice in spite of threats to their lives and property. I am happy that the Oba confirmed that he read the article–Let Ghandi Be.
At this stage what message do you have for the people?
My advice to the litigants. Now that the judgement had been delivered, I appeal to the litigants not to initiate another round of inanities that offend basic logic as far as their aspirations to the throne are concerned bearing in mind that the support for Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege lll is total, the support is absolute and massive from both indigenes and non indigenes. They should sheathe their swords and align with the vision and mission of Orumogege lll to move Ogbomoso land forward.
