The Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House in Ilesa has formally rejected the selection of Loja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.
Media Talk Africa had reported that Loja Haastrup was elected by Ijesa kingmakers during a meeting held at the Ilesa West local government Secretariat.
Haastrup’s appointment was subsequently approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke during an Executive Council meeting on Friday.
Expressing their rejection through a statement by its Secretary, Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe on Sunday, the Ofokutu Royal Family indicated their plans to seek legal redress in court.
The statement partly read, “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.”
They described the election as an affront to traditional practices and stated that they dissociated themselves from what they termed an “imposition.”
Haastrup’s election has sparked controversy, with claims from other royal families, including the Arimoro Royal Family, that the selection process violated established Ijesha traditions and a court order.
They alleged that only five out of thirteen kingmakers participated in the vote, raising concerns about legitimacy.
The Arimoro family further accused the state government and kingmakers of disregarding judicial orders that restrained any selection pending a legal suit filed by the Ofokutu lineage.
They condemned the manner in which the election was conducted, asserting it undermined traditional customs.
The Arimoro family pointed out irregularities in the election process and called for adherence to traditional protocols.
