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The Oyo State Government has nullified and declared as illegal, unconstitutional and an aberration the purported removal of Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun, the Balogun of Ogbomoso land, by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, affirming that by law, the Soun has no power whatsoever to remove a Part II Recognized Chieftaincy holder in Oyo State.
The government made this decisive pronouncement in an official Press Release issued on Thursday, 23rd October, 2026, by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, putting an end to speculations and restoring order to the traditional institution in Ogbomoso land.
In the strongly worded press release that invoked the extant law guiding Traditional Council operations in the state, the Oyo State Government stated that it has drawn its attention to the media report concerning the purported removal of Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun as Balogun of Ogbomoso by the Soun of Ogbomoso.
The government, in a clear, constructive and legally grounded position, cited CAP 28, Section 26(1) of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State (2000), which vests the exclusive power to appoint, suspend and depose a Part II Recognized Chieftaincy holder solely on the Executive Governor of the State, and not on any traditional ruler, no matter how highly placed.
“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 that guides the Traditional Council operations in the State,” the statement declared.
The Oyo State Government therefore affirmed that Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun remains the duly recognized, authentic and legitimate Balogun of Ogbomoso land, urging members of the public, sons and daughters of Ogbomoso at home and in the diaspora, as well as all traditional stakeholders to disregard any such purported removal and continue to accord him his due recognition, honour and respect.
“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,” Hon. Ademola Ojo stated.
Traditional observers have described the intervention of the Oyo State Government as timely, lawful and necessary to protect the sanctity of the traditional institution from abuse of power, impunity and illegality. They noted that the Chiefs Law of Oyo State is explicit, unambiguous and supreme in matters of chieftaincy, and no traditional ruler can unilaterally arrogate to himself the power that the law has expressly reserved for the Executive Governor.
It was also noted that the Balogun of Ogbomoso is not a mere honorary title but a Part II Recognized Chieftaincy under the Chiefs Law, which enjoys statutory protection and can only be tampered with through due process as laid down by law and executed by the Governor.
The action of the state government under Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has once again demonstrated the administration’s commitment to rule of law, due process, preservation of traditional institutions and peaceful coexistence among traditional rulers and chiefs across Oyo State.
With this official declaration dated 23rd October, 2026, signed by Hon. Ademola Ojo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the purported removal stands nullified, void and of no effect whatsoever, while Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun continues to function as the substantive Balogun of Ogbomoso land.
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