The Arimoro Royal Family in Ijesaland, has faulted the process that led to the selection of the new Owa Obokun, Prince Adesuyi Hasstrup at the weekend, describing it as a charade, breach of the established Ijesa tradition and gross abuse of judicial process.
Despite the order of Ilesa High Court that restrained the Ijesa kingmakers, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and any other group from selection of Owa Obokun, pending the determination of a substantive suit, instituted by the Ofokutu Royal lineage, against Haastrup, a group of Kingmakers was said to have held a closed-door meeting at the Local Government Secretariat, Ilesha, on Friday, 27 December, 2024, where only five kingmakers out of 13 voted to select a new Owa Obokun with a combined team of fully armed policemen, soldiers and Amotekuns, the local security agents.
The statement, signed by the Global Co-ordinator of Arimoro Family lineage, Sir (Prince) Adegoke ‘Dire Arimoro, described as ignoble and sacrilegious, the action of Ijesa kingmakers, and the Osun State government in the selection of the new Owa, calling on all Ijesha indigenes home and abroad to stand against the imposition of the new Owa and defend the dignity, respect, and integrity of their heritage.
The family said the process that led to the shocking announcement of the Owa Obokun was a gross violation of due process as a compromised candidate had been forced on the people of Ijesha land by a some kingmakers and therefore the family had rejected the purported Owa Obokun and shall deploy lawful means to ensure that the selection is nullified.
“Impunity is on full display. The Osun State government and her agents have finally thrown the ljesa Royal tradition to the dogs. When did the selection of Owa Obokun become a matter of casting vote at the Local Government Secretariat? This is a rape of ljesa Royal tradition of installing a new Owa for the first time in history. Where is the gazette that supports this impunity? Some Kingmakers , the state government officials, and others who got involved in the desecration of our traditions will soon realize that it is a costly error. What is clear is that the last is yet to be heard on this subject. Certainly, it is one person that will wear the crown. But not through this ignoble route as the consequences will bring a big lesson.
“If the Staff of Office has been given to the compromised candidate, what happened to the Ipebi phase which is about 97 days of rites by tradition before Owa Obokun is ripe for a give staff of office? Said Prince Adegoke Arimoro
He listed some abuses in the selection process which include a N10 million development levy on the aspirants, which Bilaro family sought clarification and reduction and was never responded to, non-adherence to the involvement of the Ifa Oracle, 5 out of 13 Afobajes decided the fate of the new Owa, no respect for the Dynasty of the moment and the subsisting court order on the selection of the new Owa Obokun
“The speedy approval of Clement Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun-elect by Governor Ademola Adeleke was a confirmation of the unholy alliance between some Ijesa kingmakers and the state government,” he added .
A few hours before the announcement Haastrup as the Owa Obokun-elect, the Arimoro family candidate for the Owa Obokun stool, Prince Michael Adewale (KMA) Arimoro, had addressed a press conference in Ilesa where he declared that: “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. I implore all stakeholders to reflect deeply on the implications of their actions and to remember that true leadership is rooted in respect for tradition and the voices of the people.
“We must rally around our judicial system as our last bastion of hope. It is our duty to advocate for a transparent and lawful process, one that honors our customs and allows for the rightful selection of our next Owa Obokun through the revered channels of Ifa.
“Installing Owa from a particular lineage three times back to back in a ruling house sends the others into oblivion. We must unite to protect our heritage, uphold the sanctity of Ifa, and ensure that justice prevails. Together, we can foster a climate of respect, integrity, and harmony within our community”.
