The Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaye has faulted the purported dissolution of its executive by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, describing the monarch’s action as divisive and unconstitutional.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the association reaffirmed its rejection of the dissolution, stressing that the body, which is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and guided by its constitution, cannot have its elected leadership dissolved by fiat.
The association argued that it was “ironic and unacceptable for an honorary grand patron of a registered organization with an approved constitution to unilaterally dissolve the executive committee and appoint an illegal caretaker committee in its stead.
”Such an act, it declared, “is unknown to the constitution of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaye and cannot stand.” the statement added.
The association warned that rather than fostering unity, recent developments were sowing division in the ancient city.
At an emergency meeting held on Monday at its secretariat in Ogbomoso, the association announced the suspension of Engr. Lanre Ogunwole, who was imposed by the monarch, and appointed Alhaji Abdulrahim Adetayo Yusuf, a surviving member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), as Acting President. The communiqué was signed by Yusuf and the association’s Public Relations Officer, Comrade T. M. Balogun.
The association further resolved that Oba Olaoye’s proclamation was “null, void, unconstitutional, illegal and ultra vires,” noting that Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaye remains a legal entity with a registered constitution ratified by its General Congress in 2017.
It added that aside from the Soun, several other royal fathers—including the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, the Onpetu of Ijeru, the Onikoyi of Ikoyi, the Aresadu of Iresaadu, and the Alajaawa of Ajaawa—are life patrons of the association, yet none of them was consulted before the dissolution.
“We dare observe that Kabiyesi Soun’s action is divisive. Actually, the city of Ogbomoso is getting polarized. This is an avoidable, potentially dangerous situation,” the statement read.
The association therefore called on all sons and daughters of Ogbomoso, both at home and abroad, to disregard the purported dissolution and remain committed to the unity of the body. It emphasized that Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaye “remains vibrant and alive with its elected executive and living Board of Trustees, and will continue to exist in line with the dreams of the founding fathers.”
