The Oyo State Government has declared that the former Chief of Staff to the late Governor Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun remains the duly recognized Balogun of Ogbomosoland, nullifying his removal by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladoye.
This was contained in a statement signed on Friday by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.
“The attention of the Oyo State Government has been drawn to the media report concerning the purported removal of Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun, the Balogun of Ogbomoso by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso.
“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.
“In the light of this, Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun is the duly recognized Balogun of Ogbomoso land. Members of the public are hereby enjoined to disregard any such removal”. Ojo stated.
Recall that Oba Olaoye had on October 20, 2026, issued an indefinite suspension letter to Dr. Balogun, ordering him to stop parading or acting as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland.
The monarch stated that the suspension was due to Dr. Balogun’s failure to sign a prescribed Oath of Allegiance to the throne and alleged uncultured remarks or conduct that brought embarrassment to the traditional institution.
Findings explained that the earlier friction and public remarks made during an Ogbomoso Parapo annual general meeting regarding the throne and history, have caused Dr. Balogun access to the palace during traditional events (such as the Ikije homage).
Speaking on the dispute, the Balogun Taiwo Atere-Gbebi Family noted that the High Chief of Ogbomosoland had not received his salary since April 2025.
