The Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House of Ilesa has announced Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The confirmation, which was made on Friday, was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ruling house, Isaac Haastrup.
Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, previously the Looja of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, emerged as the Owa Obokun Ajimoko III and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland following a selection process.
“He defeated nine other candidates in a free and fair selection process held at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat along the Ilesa-Oshogbo motorway,” the statement read.
The selection process was conducted by the kingmakers, including six Iworo mefa—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; and Oba Odo of Ilesa—as well as seven Agba Ijesa: Risawe of Ilesa, 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 Ilesa, High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe; and Mr. Abimbola Aluko, a warrant officer representing the Saloro of Ilesa, whose stool is currently vacant.
The Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West LGA, Felicia Olabimtan, announced the outcome of the selection process, and stated that Looja Clement Adesuyi secured the highest number of votes to become the Owa Obokun-elect.
Mrs Olabimtan explained that six of the kingmakers participated in the voting process, while High Chief Adefioye Adedeji was absent, and seven others were deemed ineligible.
Following the exercise, the Ogboni of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, and the Elegboro of Ijesaland, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, described the process as peaceful while briefing journalists.