The Oyo State Government has declared the purported removal of Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun as the Balogun of Ogbomoso by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, illegal.
The government maintained that the traditional ruler lacks the statutory authority to depose a holder of a Part II recognised chieftaincy.
The government consequently directed members of the public to disregard the purported removal and affirmed that Dr. Balogun remains the duly recognised Balogun of Ogbomoso land.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of an earlier purported removal of Dr Balogun as a traditional titleholder by the Soun.
The position of the state government was conveyed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, popularly known as Ijaya, who said the government had taken note of media reports concerning the development.
According to the commissioner, the purported removal contravenes the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, which, he said, vests the power to appoint, suspend and depose holders of Part II recognised chieftaincies exclusively in the state governor.
Ojo stated that the Soun’s action was inconsistent with the existing legal framework regulating traditional institutions and chieftaincy administration in Oyo State.
“By 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 Recognised Chieftaincy holder is vested exclusively on the Executive Governor of the State,” the statement read.
He added that the purported removal of Dr. Saka Balogun by the Soun was “an aberration and unknown to the existing law that guides the Traditional Council operations in the State.”
The commissioner therefore reaffirmed Dr. Balogun’s recognition as the Balogun of Ogbomoso and urged members of the public to disregard any announcement suggesting that he had been lawfully removed from the position.
The government’s declaration effectively rejects the purported removal and maintains Dr. Balogun’s status pending any lawful action by the authority empowered under the state’s chieftaincy law.