JUST IN: Adeleke approves appointment of 76-year-old Osun ex-deputy gov as new Owa-Obokun
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the appointment of 76-year-old Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
Prince Haastrup, a former deputy governor of Osun State, was selected following a contested process at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat on Friday.
Haastrup, who served as deputy governor under the late Isiaka Adeleke, the elder brother of the current governor, from 1992 to 1993, emerged victorious in the selection process conducted by the kingmakers despite an existing court order.
Earlier this month, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of the Osun State High Court issued a restraining order barring Haastrup, Governor Adeleke, and other officials from proceeding with the election or appointment of a new Owa Obokun until a pending lawsuit was resolved.
However, Isaac Haastrup, the Public Relations Officer of the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House, confirmed in a statement on Friday that Haastrup had been elected as the Owa-Obokun Ajimoko III and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, defeating nine other contenders.
The Osun State Executive Council, chaired by Governor Adeleke, ratified the appointment during a meeting on Friday.
Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi announced the decision, adding that the council also approved the appointment of Prince Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye as the Asaoni of Igbomina.
According to him “The appointments of Prince Haastrup as the new Owa-elect was sequel to the demise of the immediate past Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesha land, Oba ( Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II on the 11th of September 2024 while that of Prince Abikoye as the new Asaoni of Ora Igbomina followed the demise of Oba Tinuoye Atolagbe on the 19th of Nov.2023.
“Governor Adeleke while congratulating the two newly approved monarchs whom he said their choices followed due processes in line with the Chiefs’ law of Osun State 2002( cap 25), enjoined all sons and daughters of the two towns to co-operate with their new traditional rulers, particularly in allowing peace and unity to take the centre stage.”
