Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa Obokun
…royal families vow to challenge process in court
Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday presented the staff of office to the newly appointed Owa Obokun of Ijesa, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, despite objections from royal families over the appointment.
Oba Haastrup, who was elected by the kingmakers on Friday morning, had his appointment swiftly approved by Governor Adeleke.
However, his emergence has sparked controversy within the Ijesa royal community, particularly from the Ofokutu and Fajemisin royal families of the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House.
The families claim the process was manipulated by the Osun state government.
During the ceremony, Governor Adeleke congratulated Oba Haastrup, urging him to unite the people of Ijesa for the development of the region and the state as a whole.
He prayed for a peaceful reign and a prosperous future for Ijesa land.
Governor Adeleke also reminded the new monarch, “Now that the time of competition is over and you have become the father of all, I urge you to rally round all citizens of Ijesaland for the development of the area and the State at large.”
“I urge you to deploy your wealth of experience garnered over the years and your contacts within and outside the country for the development of Ijesaland. There is much work to be done and the Government alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility. It calls for the concerted efforts of all and sundry.”
Adeleke rallied Ijesa sons and daughters to continue to develop their fatherland as he highlighted his administration project in the town.
Amidst the presentation of Staff of Office, royal families, Ofokutu and Fajemisin of the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House called for a review of the selection process to uphold the integrity of the Ijesa tradition.
The Ofokutu royal family, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, expressed displeasure over the process, saying, “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 of selecting the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.”
“We the members of Ofokutu Royal Family were shocked to be informed that a new Owa was selected in what can only be described as an afront to the age-old tradition. The process is flagrant disregard of an existing court case.”
Also, Fajemisin Family in a release signed by Olufemi Fajemisin on behalf of the family berated the local and state governments, saying “the selection process was inherently flawed, and the imposition of a candidate without due regard for custom and law is utterly unacceptable.
“We categorically reject the purported Owa-elect and demand a transparent, lawful process that honours our customs and traditions. We call on all stakeholders to join us in upholding the integrity of our heritage and the rule of law.
“We will pursue all available legal means to defend our rights and restore the honor and pride of the Ijesa people. The two families dissociated themselves from the process and the new Owa Obokun, noting that it is a taboo noting that he was imposed on the ancient community and vowed to pursue every legal means to defend the rights of the Ijesa.”
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