‘Ogbomoso has no king’ interview feud escalates: Presenter raises alarm, police, NBC wade in, ruling houses mull lawsuit
Khalid ABRAHAM
Advertisement
An interview on Lagelu FM, Ibadan, Oyo state, during a programme “Bosenlo” anchored by Tayo Oyeladun, in which the interviewee, Dr Doyin Odebowale, a former aide of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, made derogatory comments against the traditional ruler of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and the town in general saying among others that the community had no Oba but a High Chief submissive to the Alaafin, has assumed a new dimension. The “reckless” remarks have sparked outrage in Ogbomoso and beyond, with many calling for the prosecution of the participants.
ogbomosoinsightonline.com learnt the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Police had been petitioned to unravel possible conspiracies associated with it.
This is as the programme anchor Tayo Oyeladun has alleged threats to his life absolving himself of any wrongdoing that he’s only doing his duty. This he stated in a save-my-soul message on his Facebook wall.
Also, information reaching ogbomosoinsightonline.com has it that the five ruling houses of the Soun dynasty of Ogbomoso have concluded arrangements to sue the dramatis personae to court and “had given their counsel the marching order to begin the process. We are going to sue him,” a member of the ruling dynasty informs.
On his Facebook wall, Oyeladun cries out: “The past few days have been hard for me and my family!
“I’m facing death threats for doing my job as a broadcast journalist. I believe in balance opinion and free speech in democratic setting. I’m living in a society where system favour the elite and those in position of authority.
“I have become a soft target in elite chess games and their pursuit of self-aggrandizement. There is pressure from high places to get me sack of my job! If I loose my job or life will they take care of my children and family? My offense? being a child of nobody.
“Friend and family please keep praying for my safety
“You will hear from me at the right time.”
In another development, the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of The Nigeria Police, State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, have invited Tayo Oyeladun and Dr. Doyin Odebowale as well as Dr Festus Adedayo (who was also said to have featured on the programme).
The letter titled, “Investigation activities,” addressed to the general manager of the station, dated January 29, reads, “This office is investigating a case of Conduct likely to cause breach of public peace regarding a weekly program tagged “BOSENLO” dated 25th January, 2025 anchored by one of your presenters named TEMITAYO OYELADUN a.k.a ABOORO in which the underlisted guests were prominently features; Dr. Doyin Adebowale and Dr. Festus Adedayo.
“In view of the above, the attention of the presenter and guests for that day are urgently needed at the Nigeria Police State Headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan, on 30th January, 2025 at 10:00 am prompt for some clarifications therein. On arrival they are to report to undersigned at State Intelligence Department (SID) Police Headquarter, Eleyele, Ibadan.
“Accept the assurances of the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State command in this regards, please.”
ogbomosoinisghtonline.com learnt that the suspects answered the summons Thursday but couldn’t be attended to and thus were asked to return on Monday.
Many commentators had meanwhile commended the development saying, “It is high time we salvaged the declining respect and honour of the traditional institution by making offenders face the music. Many of the so-called presenters and analysts are either shallow in thinking, unable to grasp the nitty-gritty of the traditional institution while many are mischief makers, forgetting that if you throw punches at someone your victim also has people who cheer for them and would protest the derogatory remarks. If free speech allows you to say anything, always remember that where your rights end is where someone else’s begins. As professional journalists, care must be taken not to cross the border of morality, of defaming someone else in the name of doing your job or freedom of speech. You need to consider the harm or hurt inflicted on your victims too.”
Coordinating assistant to Oba Ghandi on media and community relations, Rev’d Peter Olaleye, in a telephone chat with Ogbomoso Insight meanwhile said he issued no threats to Mr. Tayo Oyeladun, that rather he spoke with the head of the station (Lagelu FM), one Brownsugar Kaybuggy.
Advertisement
“I only sought clarification and registered my displeasure. I told him that as a professional broadcaster such should have been discouraged and uncomplimentary remarks as such not allowed to be continued,” Rev’d Olaleye said.
“So, I did not even speak with him (Oyeladun), I only spoke with the station head who promised to send a retraction they did to me, up till now, he hasn’t fulfilled his promise. I don’t have the presenter’s number if I even want to call him. So, I see him as just an attention seeker. Several of my colleagues in Ibadan have told me that they gave him my number to reach out to me so that he can apologize to Kabiyesi and Ogbomoso people, but instead went on social media to allege threat to his life, thinking he could whip sentiment by playing the victim game, showing himself as being persecuted.
“In order not to take laws into our hands we petitioned the NBC and the police as allowed by the laws, so, what threat is in that? Saying I threatened him is a mere resort to blackmail,” he stressed.
The NBC it is also gathered had directed the station to tender apology through the programme for two consecutive weeks and also submit a written one to the Soun forthwith.
