From Pulpit To Palace: RCCG Pastor Ghandi Laoye Installed As Soun Of Ogbomosoland

From Pulpit to Palace: Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye’s Enthralling Ascension Amidst Legal Intricacies and Family Disagreements

From Pulpit To Palace: RCCG Pastor Who Resigned From Service, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye Installed As Soun Of Ogbomosoland

Oyo State, Nigeria – In what could be described as a divine elevation seasoned with a dash of royal controversy, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye was officially enthroned as the Soun of Ogbomosoland on Friday, succeeding the late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi. This awe-inspiring journey from being a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God based in the United States to the ruler of Ogbomoso is a tale worth sharing.

Laoye arrived in the ancient city of Ogbomoso with a bang, disembarking from a private helicopter at Ogbomoso Grammar School, a spectacle that intrigued both young and old, instilling a blend of awe and expectation in the hearts of his soon-to-be subjects. From the landing site, a procession led him to the palace for the formal installation.

The palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso had long been a place in search of a worthy occupant since the transition of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi on December 12, 2021. Ogbomoso has a rich history, which has taken another interesting turn with the appointment of Prince Laoye. But the road to his royal coronation wasn’t smooth; it was fraught with familial objections and legal confrontations.

Remember, a legal challenge marked as HOG/27/2022 was instituted by some aggrieved members of the ruling house in July 2022. These objectors questioned the legitimacy of Prince Laoye’s nomination, stating that he was not an integral part of the traditional process that usually culminates in the selection of a new king.

Their bone of contention was elaborated in the courtroom where the presiding judge, A.K. Adedokun, listened to both sides of the argument. Representing the sides were Oladapo Atanda, the counsel for Olaoye, and Kolawole Fatoye for the kingmakers. Various officials, including the Oyo State Governor, Oyo State Attorney General, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, were named as defendants, along with members of the Ogbomoso North Traditional Council and the kingmakers themselves.

The plaintiff’s arguments touched on irregularities in the nomination process and cited multiple pieces of legislation: the Soun Chieftaincy Declaration (1958), Ogbomoso District Native Authority Resolution (1953), and Oyo State Chiefs Law (2000). The plaintiff believed that these regulations had been grossly violated. One particular issue was the involvement of the Ogbomoso North Local Government in the nomination process, which, according to the plaintiff, should have been merely observational rather than participatory.

It wasn’t just a fight in the courts; the struggle permeated the social fabric of Ogbomoso. Both sides of the Laoye ruling house were equally vocal on social media platforms, community forums, and local gatherings. While the dissenting family members sought to cast a cloud over Prince Laoye’s ascension, the kingmakers and the pro-Laoye faction remained steadfast.

The legal team representing the kingmakers and Prince Laoye argued that the plaintiff was dissatisfied simply because the process didn’t favour him, despite participating in the nomination and selection exercise.

Governor Seyi Makinde weighed in on the matter, signaling his approval of Prince Laoye as the next Soun of Ogbomoso, a move that garnered mixed reactions from different quarters. However, the court had yet to deliver its final verdict, slating October 3 as the judgment day. Adding another layer of complexity, a high court injunction attempted to restrain the governor and other state officials from conducting the installation ceremony for Prince Laoye.

Nevertheless, the kingmakers seemed unperturbed. Led by High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomoso, they officially installed Prince Laoye amidst fanfare and celebration, asserting that they had not received any court injunction against their actions.

It was a day of jubilation at the palace, as the kingmakers performed the traditional rites at Abata. The air was filled with the rhythm of drums, the ululation of women, and the resounding praises of men, young and old.

While the day was one of revelry and cultural spectacle, looming questions about the legality and family unity in the process of selecting the new Soun remained. It will be interesting to see how these events unfold, particularly in the legal landscape. Will the courts eventually align with the kingmakers and the state governor, or will the dissenting voices find legal favor?

One thing is clear: Ogbomoso has a new leader, a man of spiritual and international repute. Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, once a pastor, now takes on a mantle that carries the hopes, expectations, and shared destiny of the people of Ogbomosoland.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, all eyes will be on the newly-installed Soun, watching how he navigates the intricacies of tradition, the expectations of his subjects, and the challenges that come with his new position.

For more on this intriguing mix of tradition, politics, and legal drama, stay tuned to NaijaGists.com