Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde issued a stern warning on Tuesday, threatening to employ the power of his office to counter legal actions against the installation of the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, if the lawsuits were not withdrawn from the courts.

The controversy surrounding the throne erupted when Prince Kabir Olaoye, a contender for the position, initiated legal proceedings challenging Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s ascension and the legitimacy of the selection process. An Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso had previously nullified the selection process on October 25, prompting an appeal by the Oyo State Government and the newly installed Soun, along with an order for a stay of execution pending the appeal’s resolution.

During the presentation of the staff of office at the Ogbomoso township stadium, Governor Makinde urged the withdrawal of all legal challenges against the new Soun. He emphasized the need to move beyond litigation, expressing hope that the pending cases would be withdrawn by the litigants before the end of the following week.

Governor Makinde stated, “However, if the litigants fail to heed the calls, I will not hesitate to use the instrument of office to fight back. I pray that the scenario that played out in one of the communities in this state when a suit lingered for 20 years and the king was subsequently removed from the throne will not happen in Ogbomoso.

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