“For peace to reign, I urged all the displeased Princes who have instituted court cases against the new King to withdraw before the end of this week otherwise, we as government will use and deploy every weapon in our arsenal to fight those that want to fight the King.
That’s what your Governor, Seyi Makinde uttered at the coronation of the new Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege 111. He said it without batting an eye. To the chagrin of the tired and exhausted audience, he said those words and somehow got applauded for it.
He sued for peace in the absence of justice. Can there be peace in the absence of justice? He solicited support for the new King but forgot to do so in a way that will bring embittered Princes together. When you read Governor Makinde’s statement between the lines, one thing will definitely strike you: this is a statement of a dictator in a democratic robe. No more. No less.
For a Governor that spoke glowingly about the absolute supremacy of rule law to contradict himself in one fell swoop is a reflection of double standard and inconsistency. Isn’t it ironic that the number one chief law enforcer in the state is the one coercing others from exploring the instrument of law to get deserved judgement.
And citing the ugly example of Eruwa to buttress whatever cover up that must have happened in Ogbomoso is a slap in the wrist of our long cherished culture and traditions. Does it matter how long it takes for people to get Justice? Is there a timeline for people to give up on justice?
How on earth would a Governor, the Chief security of a state openly and publicly threaten his own people with fire and brimstone? How on earth would that even bring the people together? What must have gone into the Soun’s selection process that’s unsettling the Governor? Is it true that the process is flawed and compromised? Is it true that Soun Chieftaincy declaration was undermined and sidestepped?
By now, the displeased Ogbomoso Princes will be emboldened to confront elements of anarchy and injustice face to face, blood for blood and eye to eye. Mahatma Gandhi might have expressed reservation for eye for eye encounter, it is evident that in the case of Oba Ghandi, the dissatisfied Princes might not really take Mahatma Gandhi’s wise counsel to heart.
Essentially, Governor Makinde must be reminded that when the Eruwa illegality happened, it wasn’t under his administration. But the people get justice eventually during his time. The same errors previous government committed in the installation of the dethroned King is exactly what’s being repeated now. How shameful?
You might call it any name: Freudian slip. Or that the Governor didn’t mean what he said or didn’t say what he meant. No you Sabi how you interpret whatever the Governor said. You should not be surprised when you read that the Governor is taken out of context by his media aides.
One thing is sure: there’s a profound connection in all of these chain of events. The clandestine plots and twists, the forceful installation and now, a subtle threat to those seeking justice. And please, what’s so hard in allowing a thorough, fair and transparent process in the selection process of Oyo Kings?
Hear what one of the Princes said recently.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Prince Kabir Olaoye, one of the displeased Princes stated that the recent announcement of the coronation brought a mix of sentiments and the timing raises concerns, considering the existing court order questioning the legitimacy of the new Soun’s installation.
He said, “It is clear that proceeding with the coronation would be in direct contravention of the current court order, which explicitly voids the installation of the new Soun.”
