Why Iresaadu Community Rejects Soun’s Scheduled Town Hall Meeting

IRESADU, OYO STATE, NIGERIA – The ancient town of Iresaadu, near Ogbomoso, has firmly rejected a proposed town hall meeting planned by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.

In a statement issued by a Prince of Iresaadu, Adeyanju Adebayo, the community disclosed that Oba Olaoye scheduled the town hall meeting to hold at Iresaadu High School on Thursday, July 3, 2025. However, the monarch failed to formally communicate his intentions to either the traditional ruler or the people of Iresaadu.

The statement strongly objected to the proposed meeting, accusing the Ogbomoso Paramount Ruler of overreaching his authority. The community views the move as a violation of established territorial and traditional boundaries.

Highlighting the town’s historic and cultural standing, the statement emphasized that Iresaadu is an ancient settlement where the traditional ruler has worn a beaded crown for centuries.

It asserted that Iresaadu does not fall within the Soun’s jurisdiction, and as such, Oba Ghandi Olaoye lacks the authority to hold a town hall meeting there.

The statement reads in part, “The royal families, indigenes, and residents of Iresaadu town reject Oba Ghandi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso’s town hall meeting scheduled to hold at Iresaadu High School on Thursday, 3rd July, 2025.

“The Iresaadu indigenes are people of honour with great respect for the tradition of their land and, as such, would not be comfortable if any, no matter how highly placed, tries to disrespect and at the same time disregard the culture and tradition of the community and people.

“It has come to our knowledge that without prior official notification through an official means of communication to the elders and kingmakers of the community that Oba Ghandi Olaoye the Soun of Ogbomoso, has slated a town hall meeting for the 3rd July 2025 at lresaadu High School.

“It was a shock and great surprise to the community as we got the information through a flyer circulating on WhatsApp that Oba Ghandi Olaoye is coming for a town hall meeting in respect of his “25 Years Developmental Vision for Ogbomoso Land” at Iresaadu town which is the headquarters of Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“We find such proposed town hall meeting in our town – Iresaadu -as an embarrassment, disrespectful and alien to our culture and traditions of lresaadu people capable of breaching the existing peace and tranquility of the community. This is also to be likened to Oba Ghandi’s over stepping his authority.

Permit me to state further reasons likened to Oba Ghandi Olaoye over-stepping his bounds with these historical facts thus

“One, historically Iresaadu is an ancient town and the kingship tittle Aresaadu of Iresaadu Kingdom is an ancient beaded monarch and it has been in existence since the 9th Century. This confirmed that the monarch is not like any former chief (Baale) that was elevated to the kingship level (throne) by favoritism or government considerations.

“Two, Iresaadu and Ogbomoso are not in the same local government. Soun is a King in Ogbomoso North Local Government only, while Iresaadu is the headquarters of Surulere Local Government.

“Three, Iresaadu and Ogbomoso are not in the same state constituency. Iresaadu is under Surulere/Ogooluwa State Constituency while Ogbomoso is under Ogbomoso North State Constituency.

“Four, Iresaadu and Ogbomoso are not in the same federal constituency. Iresaadu is under Surulere/Ogooluwa Federal constituency and Ogbomoso North is under Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Orire Federal constituency.

“Five, Iresaadu and Ogbomoso North are not in the same senatorial district. Iresaadu is under Oyo Central Senatorial district while Ogbomoso North is under Oyo North Senatorial district.

“Based on the above facts and reasons, we are advising Oba Ghandi Olaoye to cancel his proposed town hall meeting in Irasaadu land, and as well limit his developmental vision within Ogbomoso North Local Government, his area of influence.

“We are, therefore, using this medium to call the attention of Oyo State Government and Oyo State House of Assembly on the issue of the appellation “Ogbomoso Zone.” We want to believe that this is what is giving Oba Ghandi Olaoye the leverage to act in a manner that the zone that is named “Ogbomoso Zone” is under his jurisdiction, authority, and influence. The zone’s name urgently needs to be changed to the one of a popular river that cuts across the five local governments of the zone called Oba river.

“The need to change Ogbomoso Zone to Oba Zone or Oke-Oba has now become imperative and very necessary more than ever. Issues like this are quite similar to some other zones in Oyo state e.g Ibarapa Zone and Oke Ogun Zone.

“We have seven zones in Oyo State namely Ibarapa, Ibadan Inner City, Ibadan Outer City, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun zone 1 and Oke Ogun zone 2.

“Oke Ogun as an example. If anyone says he/she travels to Oke Ogun, the first question that will arise is ‘which town in Oke-ogun,’ since it isa common knowledge that we have many towns that made up Oke ogun? if anyone is going to Ibarapa one will be asked, ‘which town in Ibarapa?’ But when it comes to Ogbomoso Zone, hardly do people know that there are many towns that make up the zone.

“We sincerely appeal that the appellation “Ogbomoso Zone” be changed now for clarity purposes. “It is worthy to note that there are differences between Ogbomoso Zone and Ogbomoso town.

The name Ogbomoso zone is comprised of five local Governments but Ogbomoso town is just one local government which is Ogbomoso North Local Government.

“In order to maintain the prevalent peace in the community and as well stop the Soun of Ogbomoso from parading as well as seeing himself as a zonal king, this change has become inevitable.

“We believe that Oba Ghandi Olaoye, being a former Pastor, will allow peace to reign by canceling the scheduled meeting and as well limit his monarchical influence and authority to his designated area.”