Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, a former deputy governor of Osun State, has been elected as Ijesaland’s Owa-Obokun Ajimoko III.
This comes just four months after the tragic death of Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland from the Bilaro Ruling House.
Recall that WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that the battle for the seat of Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland intensifies as families, particularly Ofukutu and Ajimoko, also known as Hastrup in the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, spar over the kingship.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that ten (10) candidates contested in the selection process held at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat along the Ilesa-Osogbo road.
Mrs. Felicia Olabimtan, the Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West Local Government, while announcing the result, said Looja Clement Adesuyi secured the highest votes and emerged as the Owa-Obokun elect.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE NEXT OWA?
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that it is the duty of 13 high chiefs and kingmakers, fondly called Afobaje, to choose the new Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.
The 13 kingmakers include six Agba Ijesas (Ọbaala of Ilesa, Ogboni of Ipole, Ogboni Ijebu Jesa, Ogboni of Ibokun, Ogboni of Ilesa, Obaodo of Ilesa), four AARE Council members (Ọdole of Ilesa, Risawe of Ilesa, Saloro of Ilesa, Arapate of Ilesa), and three Elegbe military commanders (Lejoka of Ilesa, Lejofi of Ilesa, Loro of Ilesa, Odole of Ulesa).
HOW CLEMENT ADESUYI HASTRUP WAS ELECTED
According to Ijesa traditions, fourteen (14) kingmakers are empowered to choose the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the 14 kingmakers namely; High Chief Ibitoye, Obaala of Ilesa, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye, Ogboni Ipole, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, Ogboni (Elegboro) of Ijebu-Ijesa, Oba Festus Awogboro, Ogboni of Ibokun, High Chief Saka Fapohunda, Ogboni of Ilesa, the Oba Odo of Ilesa, Lekoja of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo, Lejofi of Ilesa, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi, Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbaroola, Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso, Odole of Ulesa, High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe, Mr Abimbola Aluko (warrant officer representing the Saloro of ilesa whose stool is vacant) gathered at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat except Risawe of Ilesa, High Chief Adefioye Adedeji who was absent.
According to the findings, only five of the thirteen (13) kingmakers who attended the selection procedure at the Ilesa West secretariat were qualified to participate.
Additional findings revealed that the other seven were unable to participate in the process since their names could not be found on the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Titles’ master list of kings and chiefs.
“The late Oba Aromolaran did not provide us certificates of appointment. When they called for screening, our names were not on the ministry’s master list. My predecessor’s name was on the list, not mine. “I did not vote,” a high-ranking official explained.
A source told WITHIN NIGERIA that late Oba Aromolaran did not present certificates of office or forward names of his chiefs to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy titles for official documentation.
“It will be easy for the late King to remove any Chief who disobeys him without restrain from government or court in as much his or her name could not be found in the Master’s list, he added.
However, only the five eligible kingmakers whose names appeared on the master list with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy titles were permitted to vote in the selection process, and Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup received the most votes as the Owa-Obokun elect of Ijesaland.
ISSUES?
Recall that WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that an injunction order was issued against the Agba Ijesas, high chiefs, Ilesa West Local Government, Governor Adeleke Adeleke, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Titles, Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice filed by 11 crown princes on behalf of the Ofukutu royal family of the Bilaro Ruling House.
The summons also included Prince Adeleke Hastrup, Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup, Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House’s Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary, the Ijesa Central Traditional Council, and the Arapate of Ilesa.
Until the substantive suit is heard and decided, the plaintiffs requested an order of interim injunction prohibiting Ilesa West Local Government, the Governor of Osun State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Titles, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner for Justice from taking any action pertaining to the presentation, nomination, selection, election, or appointment of Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup or any other individual as the Owa of Ijesaland or Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.
REACTIONS?
The selection of Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland has elicited a profound stillness – grave silence in Ilesa.
Tokunbo Ajayi, an Ijesa elder, described the selection as a violation of tradition, stating that whenever the Ogundosu drum is beaten, no Chief must attend any meeting, and no one may be assigned to any chieftaincy title.
The elder contended that the appointment of the new monarch should not have occurred after the Ogundosu drum had been beaten.
Some Ijesa elites have also spoken out against Ifa’s neglect in selecting the next king, while others accused the Owa-Obokun elect of failing to participate in any festive event or previous communal project pr fundraising for community projects in Ijesaland
An anonymous elite told WITHIN NIGERIA that Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup made no kobo contributions throughout the fund-raising campaign for the new palace.
“It is amusing that the same Adesuyi Haastrup would occupy the same palace he did not contribute a kobo to its construction”, according to him.
He further stated that the future monarch must be willing to work tirelessly to gain the trust and confidence of the Ijesa people.
Another elite informed WITHIN NIGERIA that Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup is a wealthy, well-connected individual who can use his influence to propel Ijesaland into prosperity.
According to the elite, all Ijesa, both at home and abroad, should band together to support the new king and the town’s progress.
The elite, while appealing for calm, urged the people of Ijesaland to cooperate and assist the new Owa elect for best performance.