Gov Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa Obokun

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday presented staff of office to the newly elected Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup.

The presentation of the staff of office came on the heels of the objections and protests from royal families within the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House over the appointment of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

Newspot had reported that the Ofokutu and Arimoro royal families of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House had criticised the selection of Oba Haastrup as Owa Obokun.

On Sunday, in separate statements, the royal families threatened to seek legal redress in court.

The families also accused the Osun State Government of manipulating the process to favour Haastrup.

Advertisement

Also, Newspot reported that Governor Adeleke had on Friday evening approved the appointment of Haastrup, who was elected by the kingmakers earlier that day.

Governor Adeleke, while congratulating Oba Haastrup, urged him to unite the entire Ijesa people for the development of the region and the state.

He prayed for a peaceful reign and a prosperous future for Ijesaland.

Advising the new monarch, the governor said: “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 also implored Ijesa sons and daughters to continue to develop their fatherland, highlighting his administration’s projects in the town.

Haastrup, it was gathered, was a former deputy governor in the state.

He was deputy governor to the late Isiaka Adeleke, who was the first Executive Governor of Osun State and an elder brother of Ademola Adeleke, the current state governor.