Osun royal family condemns ‘rushed selection’ of new Owa Obokun
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Fajesinmi Royal Family of the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House has criticized the hasty selection process that led to the appointment of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The royal family emphasized that the ascension to the throne is a revered and sacred process requiring careful consideration, not a mere political exercise.
In a statement by Prince Olufemi Fajemisin, a member of the royal family, he said:
“By bypassing this time-honored practice, the cultural essence of Yoruba kingship is eroded, and its sacred foundation undermined.
“This rushed timeline—less than 72 hours for the selection, approval, and presentation of the Staff of Office—raises significant concerns and has sparked widespread disapproval.”
He explained that the traditional process of installing a king in Yorubaland is meticulous and involves spiritual rites, consultation with the Ifa oracle, and a purification process known as Ipebi (Seclusion).
“This process prepares the king-elect for the enormous responsibilities of leadership—both physical and spiritual—and aligns him with the ancestral and divine order of kingship.
“It forms the foundation of the king’s authority and legitimacy, symbolizing his initiation into the mysteries of kingship and the spiritual responsibilities tied to the throne,” he added.
Fajemisin stated that bypassing this sacred process undermines the sanctity of the Owa Obokun stool, reducing it to a mere administrative appointment.
“Such an act disregards the customs and traditions that have sustained the Yoruba people for centuries and diminishes the spiritual significance of the king’s role as a custodian of culture and an intermediary between the people and the divine,” he said.
He called on the Osun State Government and all stakeholders to recognize the gravity of this violation of tradition and take immediate steps to rectify the anomaly.
It would be recalled that Oba Haastrup was selected by kingmakers on Friday and subsequently presented the Staff of Office by Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday.
