Yoruba Tradition Ifa oracle selected RCCG pastor as ruler

Chief Reporter September 10, 2023 4 minutes read

Pastor Afolabi Olaoye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Oyo State has been named the new Soun of Ogbomosoland by the Ifa oracle, which has caused some controversy.

According to Sunday Vanguard, Olaoye, formerly an ordained pastor of the RCCG based in the United States, resigned to assume the role of traditional ruler of Ogbomosoland.

After more than three decades of public Christian leadership, many wondered if Olaoye would veer away from the customs expected of the king.

While Olaoye, the new Soun of Ogbomoso, observed traditional rites of ascension to the throne of Ogbomoso last Friday, he also learned to adapt his faith to long-established practises associated with his kingdom.

Like Kehinde Olugbenle, a former pastor who became the king of Ilaro, Ogun State, he left his pulpit and took the throne.

D-day

On Friday, September 8, 2023, the new Soun of Ogbomoso would undergo the traditional rites that had been prepared for him by the kingmakers.

The Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, was in charge of the installation ceremony and proclaimed Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye as His Imperial Majesty, calling him the Orumogege III and the 30th Soun of Ogbomoso.

Once Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, passed away in December 2021 at the age of 95, after a reign of 48 years as Soun, the throne was left vacant.

The Mogaji of the Laoye family, Prince Amos Olawole-Olaoye, commented on the new Soun, saying that he is a legitimate heir to the throne as a son of the family.

However, the claim that the new traditional ruler was not involved from the start is undermined by this announcement.

The bitterness over the new Soun’s election eventually wound up in court. When asked who would replace the late Soun of Ogbomoso on the throne, Abdulwahab Laoye, Chairman of the Screening Committee for the Laoye Ruling House, said that the family had not chosen anyone.

Earlier, he had written off rumours that someone had been chosen as mere insinuations.

He said, “We did not select Ghandi, and he is not one of the eleven chosen by the screening committee from among the twenty-three applicants. We hope that this issue can be resolved without resorting to legal action. On February 23rd, we’ve called a meeting and extended an invitation to the council to attend.However, the council took over and brought the total number of applicants up to 18 on the grounds that they had also obtained an expression of interest form.

Fair treatment

In the meantime, a statement released by Mr. Olusegun Olayiwola, Oyo State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, confirmed that the announcement was made in accordance with legal requirements.

Olayiwola congratulated the new Soun-elect on succeeding to the throne of his ancestors, saying, “His Excellency.”

According to the commissioner, the newly elected traditional ruler is now in a prime position to promote peace, mutual respect, and tolerance among his people.

He pleaded with the citizens of the long-lost city of Ogbomoso to help the new Soun of Ogbomoso build on the achievements of his ancestors.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the kingmakers, Olawole-Olaoye stated that no court injunction was received barring the installation of Olaoye as Soun of Ogbomoso.

You may recall that on Thursday of last week, an injunction was issued by the Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso.

The order prevented Olaoye from becoming Soun despite the efforts of the Governor, State Attorney General, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

The court order also prohibited government agents or officials from installing Olaoye or presenting him with any instrument of office in any ceremony.

According to the document, this should continue until the court makes a final decision on the mandatory injunction that has already been filed.

The state government, however, will announce when the new Soun will be presented with the staff of office.