A former deputy governor of Osun State, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, has been elected as the new Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.
According to the kingmakers of Ilesa, Adesuyi triumphed over nine other candidates from the same Owa Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house during the election.
A statement released to the press by the Public Relations Officer of the ruling house, Isaac Haastrup, indicated that the election was conducted in a transparent and fair manner at the Ilesa-West Local Government Secretariat on Friday.
The kingmakers comprised six Iwora mefa, including 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, along with seven agba Ijesa, Risawe of Ilesa.
“The seven Agba Ijesa are; 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 noted.
Henzodaily reports that the Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West Local Government, Mrs. Felicia Olabimtan, announced the results of the election, stating that Looja Clement Adesuyi received the highest number of votes and was elected as the owa Obokun.
She noted that six of the kingmakers participated in the voting process, while High Chief Adefioye Adedeji was absent, and seven others were deemed ineligible to vote.