The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.
The stool of the Soun, a prominent monarch in Southwestern Nigeria, became vacant after the demise of the former monarch, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade, who passed on in December 2021, at the age of 95 years after he reigned for 48 years.
Before his appointment as the Soun of Ogbomoso by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye revealed that his choice to leave pastoral work for monarchy was approved by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Olaoye, who was born into the royal family in Ogbomoso, had served as a pastor of the RCCG for about 30 years.
In a video in 2022, the priest-turned-monarch was seen telling the RCCG branch he pastored in Washington DC, United States, that he consulted Adeboye after the death of Oba Ajagungbade because he was receiving calls from several people urging him to succeed the former Soun.
According to him, he had rejected the offer but Adeboye told him to accept it because monarchy was his inheritance from “heaven” in view of his birth into a royal family.
“Of course the next natural thing I’m supposed to do, I’m a pastor in RCCG. I did not want him (Adeboye) to hear and he is my spiritual father.
“I said, Daddy, this is what is going on and I don’t want you to hear. I told him they wanted me to come and become Soun of Ogbomoso.
“While I was talking, he said to me, “No no no”. He stopped me, and said, no, don’t say you are not interested. I said why? He said, this kind of thing, you brought it from heaven. I said what do you mean sir? He said, of course, you are born into a royal family, you brought it from heaven, so don’t ever say you are not interested,” the cleric said.
The pastor told the congregation that he asked Adeboye if he knew of any pastor who became an Oba( Yoruba ruler).
“He called two names. He told me he never wanted to be RCCG General Overseer but I can see what RCCG is today,” Olaoye added.
The RCCG pastor explained that after his conversation with Adeboye, he eventually heard by divine inspiration that monarchy was his destiny even though he had followed the path of pastoral ministry for over two decades.
But on January 2, I woke up to pee and as I lay down on the bed, I said, Lord I’m at a crossroad. The next thing I heard is, you were born for this, this is why you were born,” the cleric disclosed.
Many Amused as He Explains Himself
About two years after the demise of his predecessor, the Oyo state government finally approved his appointment as the new monarch of the ancient town.
“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde congratulates the new Soun-elect on his ascension to the throne of his forebears.
“The exalted position has placed the monarch-elect in the position to facilitate harmony, understanding and tolerance amongst his people,” the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, said in a press release on Saturday.
The state government noted that Olaoye’s appointment followed due process and urged all sons and daughters of the ancient city of Ogbomoso to work with him to consolidate on the successes of his forefathers.
Prince Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye is a descendant of the 9th Soun of Ogbomoso, Late Oba Laoye Orumogege from Baiyewuwon ruling house of Aremo House, Ode-Aremo, Ogbomoso.
He is happily married to Pastor (Mrs) Omo Olaoye and blessed with two daughters.
