- Succeeds Eminent Economist, Aromolaran
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the appointment of Prince Adesuyi Clement Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland.
The approval followed the announcement of the former deputy governor of Osun State by the Bilaro Olu-Odo as the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.
Haastrup, who served as Isiaka Adeleke’s deputy, is from the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house.
The late Isiaka Adeleke, popularly known as Serubawon, was an elder brother of the incumbent governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke. He served as the first civilian governor of the state, after Osun was carved out of Oyo State in 1991.
Haastrup served as the late Adeleke’s deputy during their short reign as the Third Republic was truncated by military intervention.
Meanwhile, a statement issued on Friday by Isaac Haastrup, public relations officer of the Ruling House, said Haastrup defeated nine candidates in the election.
“He defeated nine other candidates in a free and fair selection process held at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat along the Ilesa-Oshogbo motorway,” he said.
“The kingmakers included six Iwora mefa namely Obaala, High Chief Ibitoye, Ogboni Ipole, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye, Ogboni Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye (Elegboro), Ogboni Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, Ogboni Ilesa High Chief Saka Fapohunda, Oba Odo of Ilesa, and seven Agba Ijesa, Risawe of Ilesa. High Chief Adefioye Adedeji, Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo, Lejofi, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi, Arapate of Ilesa and High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbaroola.
“Also, Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso, Odole of Ulesa, High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe and Mr Abimbola Aluko (warrant officer representing the Saloro of ilesa whose stool is vacant).”
He said Felicia Olabimtan, head of local government administration in Ilesa West LGA, announced that Haastrup secured the highest votes to become the Owa-Obokun elect.
“She said six of the kingmakers voted, while High Chief Adefioye Adedeji was absent and 7 others were not eligible,” the spokesperson added.
Following the announcement Governor Ademola Adeleke approved the Ruling House’s decision
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo, announced it on Friday.
The commissioner also noted that Adeleke, while congratulating the two newly approved monarchs, enjoined indigenes of the two towns to cooperate with their new traditional rulers, particularly in allowing peace and unity to take centre stage.
Meanwhile, the election of Haastrup has reportedly caused controversy among other ruling families in the Ijesaland, leading to heavy security presence in the town.
Recall that on September 12, Adekunle Aromolaran, the 48th Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, died at the age of 86.
Aromolaran ascended the throne on February 20, 1982, and ruled the ancient city for 42 years.
