The Arimoro Royal Family in Ijeshaland, Osun State, has expressed dissatisfaction with the selection process of the Owa Obokun-elect, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, on Friday, December 27.
They characterized it as “a charade, a violation of established Ijesha traditions, and a serious abuse of judicial process.”
Haastrup, a member of the Ajimoko Royal Family, was chosen by the kingmakers during a meeting at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat on Friday, a decision later endorsed by the state governor, Ademola Adeleke.
However, the Arimoro Royal Family, through a statement issued by its Global Coordinator, Prince Adegoke Arimoro, on Saturday, vehemently rejected the selection process and hinted at potential legal action.
The statement highlighted that despite an order from the Ilesha High Court preventing the Ijesha Kingmakers and the Osun State Governor from proceeding with the selection of the Owa Obokun while a substantive suit was pending from the Ofokutu Royal lineage against Haastrup, a group of kingmakers held a secret meeting at the Local Government Secretariat. Only five out of the 13 kingmakers participated in the voting, which was said to be conducted under heavy security presence by armed policemen, soldiers, and local security forces known as Amotekun.
Labelling the actions of the Ijesha kingmakers and the state government as “ignoble and sacrilegious,” the family called on all Ijesha indigenes, both at home and abroad, to oppose the imposition of the new Owa and to defend the dignity and integrity of their heritage.
The Arimoro family condemned the announcement of the Owa Obokun as a significant violation of due process, asserting that a compromised candidate had been thrust upon the people of Ijesha land by certain kingmakers. They firmly rejected the title of Owa Obokun and vowed to utilize lawful means to annul the selection.
The statement criticized the apparent disregard for Ijesha royal traditions by the Osun State government and its agents, questioning when the selection of the Owa Obokun became a voting matter at the Local Government Secretariat. “This is a first in history and a violation of our traditions. Where is the gazette supporting this transgression? Kingmakers and state officials who participated in this desecration will soon realize the gravity of their error,” they stated.
The family outlined what they considered abuses in the selection process, including an N10 million development levy on aspirants, a lack of adherence to involving the Ifa Oracle, and the fact that just five out of the thirteen Afobajes determined the fate of the new Owa, disregarding the existing court order.
The Arimoro family also accused the state governor of showing a quick approval of Clement Haastrup’s election as Owa Obokun-elect, suggesting a troubling alliance between some kingmakers and the state government.
Just hours before Haastrup’s announcement, Prince Michael Adewale (KMA) Arimoro, the family’s candidate for the Owa Obokun position, addressed a press conference in Ilesa where he remarked, “We find ourselves at a crossroads; one path leads us toward compliance with the judiciary and our traditional values, while the other tempts us into silence and complicity. We must choose wisely.”
He urged all stakeholders to reflect on the consequences of their actions and emphasized that genuine leadership must honour tradition and the will of the people.
“We must unite to safeguard our heritage, uphold the significance of Ifa, and ensure justice prevails. Together, we can cultivate an environment of respect, integrity, and harmony within our community.”
Reports indicate that the Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Ruling House in Ilesa, Osun State, has also rejected the selection of former deputy governor Loja Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
