14 hours ago
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The Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Ruling House in Ilesa, Osun State, has rejected the selection of a former Deputy Governor of the state, Clement Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
Haastrup, who hails from the Ajimoko Royal Family, was elected by the kingmakers at a meeting held on the premises of the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat, Ilesa on Friday.
The state governor, Ademola Adeleke, subsequently approved his selection.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, and obtained in Osogbo, the state capital on Saturday, the Ofokutu Royal family stated its readiness to approach the court to seek redress over the matter.
The royal family labelled Haastrup’s emergence as the new monarch as an “imposition.”
The statement partly read, “Today, we, the members of the Ofokutu Royal Family were shocked to be informed that a new Owa was selected in what can only be described as an affront to the age-old tradition of the emergence of the Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.
“The Ofokutu Royal Family hereby dissociates itself from this taboo and states unequivocally that it rejects the purported Owa-elect and the flawed and illegal process through which he was selected.
“The Ofokutus regard this as an imposition, and will pursue every legal means to defend the right of the Ijesa to follow their tradition in the selection of their most revered Oba, and restore the battered image, honour and pride of our people.”
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