POINT OF CORRECTION: ‘Saka Balogun suspended not removed,' (SEE LETTER OF SUSPENSION)

POINT OF CORRECTION: ‘Saka Balogun suspended not removed,’ (SEE LETTER OF SUSPENSION)

Khalid ABRAHAM

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The Aafin of Ogbomosoland has shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the status of the Balogun of Ogbomosoland, Dr. Saka Balogun, saying the high chief was suspended and not removed as being misconstrued.

This came following a press release by the Oyo state government signed by the Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Ademola Ojo, which asserted that a traditional ruler lacked the powers to remove a chief of the calibre of Balogun of Ogbomoso, a Part II Chieftaincy.

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The press release states, “The attention of the Oyo State Government has been drawn to the media report concerning the purported removal of Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun, the Balogun of Ogbomoso by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso.”

The release further emphasizes that in accordance with the Chiefs Law of Oyo state, only the state governor has the power of removal, declaring that the Soun lacks the prerogative to remove the chief.

“By the virtue of the provision of CAP 28, Section 26 (1) of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State (2000), the power to appoint, suspend and depose a part II Recognized Chieftaincy holder is vested exclusively on the Executive Governor of the State, therefore, the purported removal of Dr Saka Balogun, the Balogun of Ogbomoso land, a Part II Chieftaincy holder by HIM Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso land is an aberration and unknown to the existing law and guides the Traditional Council operations in the State.

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“In the light of this, Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun is the duly recognized Balogun of Ogbomoso land. Members of public are hereby enjoined to disregard any such removal.”

But in a counter press release from the Ogbomoso Palace, it is clarified that the Soun did not remove Dr Balogun but suspended him.

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The statement noted that the removal was premised on the refusal of Dr Balogun to sign the Oath of Allegiance, “which was signed by other chiefs.”

“The Palace of the Soun waited for ten straight months for him to sign but he refused. Instead, he is busy casting aspersions on the Soun and the throne, hurling all sorts of derogatory and insulting remarks.”

It was affirmed that his snub of the Oath of Allegiance automatically disqualifies him from the role especially when he is engulfed in anti-Palace activities.

“That is not going to happen. He has to sign the Oath of Allegiance. How can someone confer chieftaincy title on you and you will not sign such an important document and then go ahead to utter derogatory statements against your sovereign, against the throne every time, in public, with the media, in private discussions? His refusal to sign it is a sign of disloyalty and no one will accept that, even in matters that are untraditional.”

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It was added he made another disparaging comment recently against the Soun which triggered the suspension. “He was suspended and not removed, that is a point of correction,” it was insisted. “The Soun carries the weight of history, he represents Ogbomosoland, and no one is bigger than Ogbomosoland.”

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