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New Owa Obokun: The politics, intrigues

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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

It was in 2010. The then Osun Government, under a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wanted someone other than the popular choice of the people as the Ataoja of Osogboland. The government had its way in the selection process, which happened on a weekend. Sensing, however, that an injunction could be obtained on a Monday from a competent court to stall the process, the then government decided to conclude the installation process during the weekend.

Fourteen years after, another PDP-led administration, under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke, is playing out the same script in Ijesaland, where, against all odds, a new Owa Obokun was installed on Sunday, December 29, 2024, without allowing the nominee to go through the ritual rites associated with the installation of an Owa Obokun. He is Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the Ajimoko III.

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The death of the former Owa Obokun of Ijesaland was announced on September 12, 2024. His death, Daily Sun’s investigations reveal, has, for the first time, introduced new system to the selection and installation process of monarchs in the ancient town of Ilesa. Though the traditional role of Ifa in selection of king is becoming a thing of the past, as money and politics now determine who emerges king in most parts of Yorubaland, that of Ijesaland appears strange, owing to their industry, exposure and sagacity.

After permutations and consultations by princes, particularly the contestants to the stool of Owa, Governor Ademola Adeleke eventually announced the former Deputy Governor, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. The announcement on Friday, December 27, sparked protests, with allegations of irregularities by the other contestants.

The new Owa Obokun was the deputy to the current Osun Governor’s elder brother, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

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While the protests by royal families were ongoing, Governor Adeleke presented the staff of office to the new monarch on Sunday, December 29, when people were expecting the monarch to proceed to the seclusion, in line with the custom and tradition of the land. The event, which was not announced, caught many sons and daughters of Ijesaland unawares.

Findings by Daily Sun revealed that the installation was done after a litigation has been instituted before the court and a date has been fixed for the parties to appear before the court.

Further findings showed that the installation was done on Sunday to avoid litigation that may prevent the presentation of the staff of office to the new Owa Obokun. Dawere he to be subjected to the usual rituals and traditional rites before presenting him with the staff of office.

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The development is however generating reactions as some people wondered why a king-designate did not perform ritual rites before the government presented the staff of office to him.

Speaking on behalf of the contestants, Ishola Adeyinka Haastrup, described the installation performed on his elder brother as unconstitutional and contempt of court, saying they only selected council king.

Insisting that the installation would not stand, Haastrup said, “we want all Ijesa sons and daughters to forgive us over what happened because it is a taboo which has never happened in the land. I am confident that God will correct it soon.

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“All the people who have been talking about our family, Ajimokobioyinbo, Haastrup Royal family, don’t be angry with us. I am sure that our ancestors are not happy with what is happening presently in Ijesaland.

“This is not how they select Owa Obokun. This is not just mere king but for the entire Ijesa kingdom, we don’t know why government did what they do hastily. We are not looking for king hastily.

“Not all of us who are contenders are in support of what was done because we don’t want to be remembered for bad. We are assuring you that some people have appointed council king which is not our king.

“We, the contenders know the law and know what to do. We obeyed the law. The matter is in court and it is not ideal to flout the constitution. Those who are part of the process of the new king have disobeyed and disrespected the law. This is pure contempt of court. We are sure that the judge will not be happy with what happened there.

“During the selection process, they removed kingmakers on the ground that their appointment was not known to the government. When they wanted to present staff of office to the king, they threatened them to attend the ceremony or they will be removed.

“Let us do what our tradition required from us and what the people will be happy about. The people are not in support of what they did. The process was shunned by prominent Ijesa people.

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“Whosoever that collect money from this process should be cautioned. The installation of the new king will be opposed to by the judge, he will not be happy. All those who attended the presentation of staff of office and certificate of appointment have kicked against tradition. Our ancestors will never forgive you.

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“Our family have great respect for constitution. This is not how the first Ajimoko and second was appointed. I call on all the lawyers to tackle the illegal process. They should join me to fight this course,” he fumed.

Similarly, two royal families, Ofokutu and Fajemisin of Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House have rejected the emergence of Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land.

Ofokutu royal family in a statement signed by the Secretary of the house, Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe stated that “we have witnessed not just compromise, but the desecration of the noble tradition of the Ijesa, with the blatant disregard for the most sacred tradition which is the selection of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

“We the members of Ofokutu Royal Family were shocked to be informed that a new Owa was selected in what can only be described as an afront to the age-old tradition. The process is flagrant disregard of an existing court case,” Adegbohungbe said.

Also, in a statement signed by Olufemi Fajemisin on behalf of Fajemisin family, the family berated the local and state governments, saying “the selection process was inherently flawed, and the imposition of a candidate without due regard for custom and law is utterly unacceptable.

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“We categorically reject the purported Owa-elect and demand a transparent, lawful process that honours our customs and traditions. We call on all stakeholders to join us in upholding the integrity of our heritage and the rule of law.

“We will pursue all available legal means to defend our rights and restore the honour and pride of the Ijesa people,” Fajemisin said.

But the Osun State Government is insisting that it followed due process in the appointment and installation of the new monarch.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, the government, while acknowledging the pendency of a case in court, noted that the case had been instituted before the selection process began, adding that “there is no law preventing the presentation of a staff of office on a Sunday.”

However, a leading figure in Ijesaland, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, who also doubles as the chairman of Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA), has appealed to the sons and daughters of the community to exercise some restraints, even when he also admitted that the process was not perfect.

In a statement, dated December 29 and personally signed by him, Asiwaju Fasuyi said “the last few days have been the most testing of our strength, yet we overcame! The last few days have been full of anxiety, yet we have overcome! The last few hours have been full of uncertainties, but yet we have overcome! What we all have at stake in all these moments of apprehension, anxiety, and uncertainties are the uncompromising peace in Ijesaland; the love-driven unity amongst our people in Ijesaland; and above all, our collective determination to champion sustainable Community-Driven Development in the entire Ijesaland!

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It is too late to turn back on these values! It’s too late to jettison what we are envied for!

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It’s too late to adorn a new cultural identity! The selection process of our new Imperial Majesty Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the Ajimoko III may not have been 100 percent perfect, but all of us as Ijesas owe it a duty to jealously protect and preserve those values that have distinctly characterised us as forward looking race and trusting that our new Imperial Majesty would heal all perceived wounds with prompt initiation of reconciliatory mechanism with other contestants from his Bilaro Ruling House.

“The developmental tasks ahead of our new Imperial Majesty are not only very huge but also very demanding and we cannot afford to distract him, hence, my sincere appeal to all aggrieved parties in this royal contest to sheath their respective swords in order for us to sustain the tempo of our sustainable development in Ijesaland.”

Daily Sun recalls that when the late Owa Obokun was selected in 1982, he entered Ipebi, (three-months of seclusion), which witnessed both physical isolation and an intense spiritual and cultural immersion. He was guided by palace to go through the sacred rituals, where he received instructions based on royal customs and traditions, and was said to have engaged in reflective practices that connected him to his role as Owa Obokun.

The period, Daily Sun further gathered, deepened the late Owa Obokun’s understanding of ljesa heritage, thereby moulding him in the spiritual and moral responsibilities of his new position. It was after he came out of the seclusion, which was three months after his selection, that he was officially crowned Owa Obokun Adimula and the staff of office, presented to him.

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The post New Owa Obokun: The politics, intrigues appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.



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