Controversial interview: Oyo Assembly ‘drills’ Lagelu FM, as station sends apology to Soun
Yinka ADETUNJI
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The management of Lagelu FM station Ibadan, which has been on public trial since January 25 over an interview granted one Dr Doyin Odebowale during a social-political programme – Bosenlo – anchored by Tayo Oyeladun, in which the interviewee made several unsavoury remarks against the stool of Ogbomoso, such as ”Soun is an High Chief of Alaafin,” “Ogbomoso has no king,” has appeared before the Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA).
Recall OYHA waded into the matter after the Majority Leader Hon Sanjo Adedoyin raised a motion on it which attracted extensive deliberation concluding with a condemnation of the interview, Lagelu FM, the anchor and the interviewee. Subsequently, sanctions were demanded against the dramatis personae including the station.
This prompted the management of the Lagelu FM to visit the House twice this week to seek amicable resolution.
Ogbomoso Insight gathered that its management team, which has also sent a letter of apology to the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, on Thursday faced a lot of angry reactions in the House, “lawmakers dressed them down unrepentantly,” a source informed.
“It was an unprofessional conduct, it was a flagrant breach of the ethics of broadcasting, the interview should have been stopped,” the legislators reportedly fired, as it was further stressed, “Such volatile interview could have caused public chaos. The claims by that man have no basis in history. Both Soun and Olubadan were elevated in 1976 and the government that did it had their reasons, which are irrefutable and inviolable and was subsequently gazetted, so, for someone to now claim the Soun or Olubadan is not an Oba is heresy. It’s bunkum. It’s capable of triggering crisis.”
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It was further learnt that the House had intended to beam the proceeding live but due to pleading from some interest that idea was shelved.
Overwhelmed by the outpouring of indignation the Lagelu FM management tendered effusive apologies and expressed regret while informing the house it had sent an apology letter to the Soun and still plan to embark on a sorry visit to the Ogbomoso monarch, and that its proprietor Alhaji Adebayo Muritala Akande had also contacted the monarch.
The apology letter signed by its general manager operation, Tunde Olawuwo, states, “Sequel to the letter from the National Broadcasting Commission NBC, Ibadan Zonal Office dated January 31, 2025 which emanated from an earlier complaint about certain utterances credited to Dr Doyin Odebowale, a guest on Lagelu FM’s programme, BOSENLO on Saturday, 25 January, 2025.
“To this end, I wish to state as follows:
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“As a station steeped in culture and tradition, Lagelu 96.7 FM holds your revered throne in very high esteem and would not be a party to any action or inaction that would seek to denigrate your person or office. The views expressed represented that of the guest and not the station. Also, subtle attempts were made, mostly non-verbal at cautioning the guest. We hereby apologise for any offence or ill-will that the broadcast may have caused His Imperial Majesty.
“It is to be added that genuine efforts have been made to remedy this situation, as On-Air apology has been done on 1” February, 2025 while the second wil follow on Saturday, 8th February, 2025.
“Your Majesty, please be assured of our highest regards.”
