Toba Adedeji,
A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has been named the Owa-Obokun-elect from the Bilaro Ruling House of Ijeshaland.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment with immediate effect.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, to that effect, indicated that the approval of the monarch was ratified and approved during the sitting of the Osun State Executive Council Meeting presided over by the Governor on Friday afternoon.

According to Alimi, Governor Adeleke while congratulating the newly approved monarch whom he said his choice followed due processes in line with the Chiefs’ law of Osun State 2002( cap 25), enjoined all sons and daughters of the town to co-operate with their new traditional ruler, particularly in allowing peace and unity to take the centre stage .

The throne became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran in September 2024 after 42 years of reign. After his demise, the High Chiefs declared a mourning period, setting in motion the process of selecting a new king.

Earlier this month, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of an Osun State High Court issued a restraining order preventing Prince Haastrup, Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Attorney-General, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, among others, from proceeding with the election or appointment of a new Owa-Obokun until a pending suit was resolved.

Despite the court order, Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, who served as deputy governor to the late Isiaka Adeleke, the elder brother of the incumbent governor, emerged as the Owa-Obokun-elect.

In a statement issued on Friday, Isaac Haastrup, the Public Relations Officer of the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House, confirmed that Clement Adesuyi Haastrup had been elected as the Owa-Obokun Ajimoko III and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.

According to the release, “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.

“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.

The Nation