Oyo: Soun Of Ogbomoso Strips Adegbite Of Balogun Title

By Ayodele Oni

For allegedly refusing to complete installation formalities, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, has suspended indefinitely the Balogun of Ogbomoso, Dr. Saka Adegbite from office.

The suspension, contained in a letter dated Tuesday, October 20, 2026 and personally signed by the monarch, was predicated on Dr. Balogun’s alleged persistent refusal to sign the prescribed Oath of Allegiance to the throne.

According to the letter, Dr. Balogun’s appointment was granted as an exceptional accommodation, following the intervention of Governor Seyi Makinde, on the clear understanding that he would execute the required Oath of Allegiance.

“The oath was neither optional nor ceremonial. It was a fundamental requirement for the proper assumption and exercise of the responsibilities and authority attached to the title,” Oba Olaoye stated.

The Soun further accused the suspended Balogun of showing no intention to fulfil the obligation, despite several reminders.

The monarch also cited what he described as public statements and conduct by Dr. Balogun, particularly an interview in which he allegedly threatened to drag the Soun’s stool to court.

“Of even greater concern are your public statements and conduct, particularly the interview in which you threatened to take the stool of the Soun to court.

“Such pronouncements are deeply regrettable and constitute a grave affront to the dignity of the throne, the sanctity of the Palace, and the institution you were privileged to serve,” the letter reads.

Oba Olaoye said such conduct has brought embarrassment to the traditional institution and undermined its standing.

Consequently, Dr. Balogun has been directed to immediately stop parading himself, acting or undertaking any official engagement, representation or communication as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland, and barred from exercising any authority or privilege attached to the title for the duration of the suspension.

The monarch maintained that the Ogbomoso traditional institution is founded on respect for constituted authority and strict adherence to established customs, stressing that no titleholder can retain the privileges of an office while rejecting its fundamental requirements.

The suspension takes immediate effect from Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Meanwhile, a separate letter dated December 1, 2025, shows that Oba Olaoye had earlier reminded Dr. Balogun of the need to sign the customary Oath before being fully admitted into the council of Executive Chiefs (Ilus).

In that earlier correspondence, the monarch had congratulated him on his appointment, but noted that he would not be seated among other Executive Chiefs in the Palace, until the oath was formally executed.