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A pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye has been touted as the next Soun of Ogbomoso.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pastor Olaoye is among the aspirants, who are all members of Baiyewuwon/Olaoye Ruling House, whose turn it is to produce the next Soun.
According to reports, Ogbomoso kingmakers met on Thursday at Aafin Ogbomoso to have a session with the aspirants with the RCCG pastor’s name ringing loudest.
Recall that the 20th Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, joined his ancestors and was interred in December 2021. His death left a vacuum the Ogbomoso kingmakers are striving to fill.
While nothing is cast in stone yet, Pastor Olaoye has been said to be favoured to ascend the throne as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso. His name has been said to be gaining currency in recent times.
He is said to be very close to Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who both are pastors of RCCG, and is alleged that Osinbajo is rooting for him.
Olaoye pastors RCCG, Jesus House, Washington DC, which is one of the biggest RCCG churches in America and it has earned its respect in that part of the world. It is one of the over 15,000 churches under the RCCG of which Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the General Overseer.
The church is situated in Philadelphia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, a thriving community rich in ethnic and racial diversity.
Pastor Olaoye is described as “a visionary, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He is fondly called “Pastor G” and is known for his servant heart and leadership skills.
He was born and raised in Nigeria, and has a degree in English Language and a Masters in Industrial and Labour Relations. He was a successful entrepreneur before the call of God came upon his life to become a Pastor.
Pastor Olaoye has been Pastoring since 1992, where he pastored three RCCG Churches in Nigeria and also RCCG Parish in Bonn, Germany before moving to the United States.
Pastor Ghandi is passionate about helping others develop to their fullest potential; his experience traveling and speaking internationally has helped shape his commitment to showcasing a ministry where people of all racial and ethnic groups worship God in a loving and caring atmosphere.
He is currently the coordinator in charge of Convention and Special Projects for RCCG, North America.
He is happily married to Pastor Omo who also play a key role in running the affairs of the church. His wife, Pastor Omo is the founder and Pastor in charge of the Jesus Women Ministries, a women’s ministry that addresses pertinent women’s issues from birth to old age, with a view to positively affecting these areas in line with the Word of God.
The Jesus Women Ministries is the women’s ministry of the RCCG Jesus House, DC.
Meanwhile, as the selection processes for the next Soun of Ogbomoso hit full gear, the Ogbomoso kingmakers have said no one has been foisted on other contenders.
When contacted, a member of the kingmakers who don’t want his name in print said: “We are not unaware to the news making rounds by some sections of the media that Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye has been selected as the next Soun of Ogbomoso probably because of his association with VP Osinbajo.
“Let it be noted that our selection would never be influenced politically no matter who is involved. Our primary goal is the progress of Ogbomoso.
“Notably, it’s constitutional to pronounce the next Soun of Ogbomoso through the recommendations of the kingmakers and as it stands, no one has been selected.
“Any news regarding the selection would be made known to the public soon by the kingmakers and, therefore, members of the public are enjoined to disregard any fake news in that regard”.
Also, a statement issued on Thursday by illustrious sons of Ogbomoso under the aegis of Concerned Ogbomoso Indigenes has it that under no circumstances should political influence or religious affiliation hinder the smooth running of the selection processes in choosing the next Soun of Ogbomoso, adding that no contender would be foisted on others in the selection.
The group through its spokesperson, Bashir Lawal unequivocally explained that the utmost interest of the kingmakers is to follow due process in line with the provisions of the selection processes and uphold the tradition of their forebears.
He stressed that what Ogbomoso needs is someone that can move the town forward, uphold the culture and tradition, and not someone that is either politically biased or religiously biased.
“Let it be on record that all the 25 contenders who underwent thorough screening are potential Soun-designate and no one would be preferred to other unless the one qualified for the seat.
“If you want to ratify anybody, make it known to us and show us the names of those people that actually did the screening.
“We don’t want fake news and we don’t want anybody that will tamper with our emotions as we are bound to live together as one family.
“We challenge the so-called “Afobaje” to come out and debunk this story to avoid chaos in the town,” the group submitted.