September 10, (THEWILL) – Following the ratification of his appointment by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has officially been crowned as the Soun of Ogbomosho, thus bringing to an end the legal tussle that characterised his ascension to the throne. Until his appointment, the throne was vacant for almost two years after the demise of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III in December 2021 at the age of 95 years, after ruling for 48 years. But some members of the family opposed the approval of Olaoye, arguing that he was not part of the process right from the beginning and that he shouldn’t be crowned against their wishes. The family memebers instituted a suit opposing his nomination, citing various irregularities in the procedures and asked the court to set aside the nomination and order a fresh nomination process. A day to his installment as king, the state high court restrained the governor and other state officials from presenting Olaoye with any instrument of office or issuance of certificate until the final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court. But the kingmakers went ahead and on the morning of Friday September 8, performed the necessary rites, and proclaimed him His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III. Olaoye, who was until his crowning as a traditional ruler, was the Pastor-in-Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House Parish, Washington DC, United States of America. He got the blessings of his church to take leave of absence in a special service held last week. He was anointed by his co-pastors alongside his successor in the parish, Pastor Olumide Ogunjuyigbe.
The anointing service, tagged ‘Joint Celebration,’ signaled the acceptance of Olaoye’s exit from the church by the congregation he pastored for years. He told members of the church that he was following God’s directive by accepting the kingship offer. While his explanation appeared good enough to some of his members, not a few berated him for accepting the position. Many wondered why a supposed cleric, who prayed in the name of Jesus Christ, would accept to serve another god, an action the Holy Bible clearly opposed. The Bible, they argued, clearly forbade Christians to serve any other master except the Almighty God.
Olaoye’s mind was obviously made up and he is set to begin his coronation rites soon. In fact, during his selection and interview with the kingmakers of Ogbomosho, he promised to embrace the three major religions: The traditional African religion, Christianity and Islam.
About the Author
