Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke has approved the former deputy governor of Osun State, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland
Prince Haastrup from Owa Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house who was also a former deputy governor of the state was elected by the kingmakers of Ijesaland
Prince Haastrup emerged as new Owa Obokun elect after defeating nine other candidates who contested with him from the same Owa Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house, in a free and fair keenly contested election held at the Ilesa West local government Secretariat, Ilesa Osun State on Friday
According to the ruling house Public Relations Officer, Isaac Haastrup, in statement released and made available to the media, the kingmakers elected
Prince Suyi Haastrup in a free and fair election in the presence of the Ijeshaland kingmakers which included six Iwora mefa namely Obaala, High chief Ibitoye, Ogboni Ipole, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye, Ogboni Ijebu-jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye ( Elegboro), Ogboni Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, Ogboni Ilesa High Chief Saka Fapohunda, Oba Odo of Ilesa, and seven agba Ijesa, Risawe of Ilesa.
“The seven Agba Ijesa are, who witnessed the election were; High Chief Adefioye Adedeji, Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo, Lejofi, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi, Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbarool , Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso , Odole of Ulesa ,High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe and Mr Abimbola Aluko ( warrant officer representing the Saloro of Ilesa whose stool is vacant)”
The statement added that six of the kingmakers voted, while High Chief Adefioye Adedeji was absent and 7 others were not eligible.
While announcing the outcome of the election the Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West Local Government, Mrs Felicia Olabimtan, decleared Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the Oba Owa Obokun elect with secured highest votes, and satisfied all the traditional process of selecting Owa Obokun by the kingmakers in the town.