The Oyo State Government has declared Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun the duly recognised Balogun of Ogbomosoland, faulting the decision of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to suspend him from the traditional title.

The government maintained that the monarch lacked the constitutional authority to suspend a recognised Part II chieftaincy titleholder, insisting that such powers rested exclusively with the state governor under the Oyo State Chiefs Law.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ademola, the government cited Section 26(1) of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, as the legal basis for its position.

It described the purported suspension of Balogun as inconsistent with the existing law governing traditional institutions in the state and urged members of the public to disregard the action.

The government’s intervention followed an indefinite suspension order issued by Oba Olaoye in a letter dated October 20, 2026, titled “Letter of Indefinite Suspension from the Title of Balogun of Ogbomosoland.”

In the letter, the monarch maintained that taking the customary oath of allegiance to the throne was a fundamental requirement for recognition as a member of the Executive Council of Chiefs of Ogbomosoland.

According to the Soun, Balogun’s appointment letter, issued on December 19, 2025, expressly stipulated that the oath was a prerequisite for full participation in the council’s activities.

The monarch alleged that Balogun had failed to sign the oath despite an understanding reached before his installation, adding that he would not be permitted to sit with other executive chiefs until the requirement was fulfilled.

Oba Olaoye also expressed displeasure over Balogun’s reported public statements, particularly an interview in which he allegedly threatened to challenge the Soun’s stool in court.

The monarch described the remarks as an affront to the dignity of the throne and the palace, arguing that the conduct had embarrassed the traditional institution and undermined its standing.

Consequently, he directed Balogun to stop presenting himself or acting in any official capacity as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland throughout the suspension. He also barred him from exercising the privileges and responsibilities associated with the title or representing the office at official engagements.

However, the Balogun Taiwo Atere-Gbebi family has challenged the suspension, saying the palace took the decision without prior consultation, dialogue or a query to the family.

In a letter dated October 22, 2026, and signed by the Secretary of the Balogun Chieftaincy House, Balogun Olajire Raufu, the family appealed to the Oyo State Governor, through the commissioner, to intervene in the matter.

The family alleged that Balogun and his entourage had been denied entry into the palace twice since his installation on December 19, 2025, during the traditional homage known as Ikije.

It further stated that it received the suspension letter on Wednesday, October 21, without any prior communication from the palace.

The family also claimed that Balogun had not received a salary since April 2025, describing the circumstances surrounding the suspension as unusual.

Balogun himself had alleged that his purported suspension was not unconnected with his support for the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Dr Yunus Toliat Ayilara.