Adeleke presents Staff of Office to new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland

…Ofokutu royal family of Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house rejects selection

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, officially presented the staff of office and instrument of appointment to Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the 41st Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.

Speaking at the installation ceremony, Governor Adeleke urged the new monarch to foster unity and development within Ijesaland and beyond. He emphasized the importance of collaboration for progress, stating:

“There is much work to be done, and the Government alone cannot bear the responsibility. I call on all Ijesa sons and daughters to prioritize the development of our fatherland. Our administration is intensifying developmental efforts across the state, including Ijesaland.”

In his acceptance speech, Oba Haastrup pledged to safeguard the heritage of Ijesaland while promoting peace, prosperity, and happiness for its people. He acknowledged the intense competition that characterized the selection process, emphasizing that:

“There is no victor, no vanquished.”

The monarch called on the people of Ijesaland to unite in building a stronger and more prosperous future.

However, the Ofokutu royal family of the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house has rejected Oba Haastrup’s selection, describing the process as flawed.

While Oba Haastrup is also from the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house, the family alleged irregularities in the selection process and cited a pending court case.

In a statement signed by Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, Secretary of the Ofokutu royal family, the group expressed shock over the development and accused stakeholders of disregarding due process.

“We have witnessed not just compromise but the desecration of the noble tradition of the Ijesa, with the blatant disregard for the most sacred tradition, which is the selection of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland,” the statement read.

The family unequivocally dissociated itself from the selection and vowed to challenge the process through legal means.

“The Ofokutu royal family hereby dissociates itself from this taboo and states unequivocally that it rejects the purported Owa-elect and the flawed and illegal process through which he was selected.

“The Ofokutus regard this as an imposition and will pursue every legal means to defend the right of the Ijesa to follow their tradition in the selection of their most revered Oba.

“We are committed to restoring the battered image, honour, and pride of our people,” the statement concluded.