Osun Governor Defies Court Restraints, Appoints Owa Obokun-Elect, Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, will Present Staff of Office and Instrument of Authority Today
In a controversial move that has sparked legal and political discussions, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has proceeded with the appointment of Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, despite a court order restraining such action. The Governor is set to present the Staff of Office and Certificate of Election to the Owa Obokun-elect on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the Obokungbusi Town Hall in Ilesa.
This development comes after the Iwarefa-Mefa, the highest-ranking traditional kingmakers in Ijesaland, convened a consultative meeting with key stakeholders in the region, including Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland and Chairman of the Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA). The meeting, which took place on the evening of December 28, 2024, laid the groundwork for the formal presentation of the royal insignia to Prince Haastrup.
Legal and Political Tensions
The move by Governor Adeleke has been met with mixed reactions. A court had recently issued a restraining order preventing the appointment of the new Owa Obokun, citing unresolved legal matters related to the selection process. Despite this, the Governor has proceeded with the installation, leading to questions about the timing and legal implications of his decision.
The appointment of Prince Haastrup as Owa Obokun has been the subject of intense political scrutiny, with factions within the Ijesaland kingdom divided over the legitimacy of the process. However, the backing of the Iwarefa-Mefa, Ijesaland’s highest traditional kingmakers, lends significant weight to the appointment.
The Role of the Iwarefa-Mefa
The Iwarefa-Mefa’s consultative meeting is a crucial step in traditional governance, as they play a central role in selecting and installing kings within Ijesaland. Their support for Prince Haastrup is likely to solidify his position as the Owa Obokun-elect, despite any legal challenges. The involvement of prominent figures like Asiwaju Fasuyi further indicates the broad support for Haastrup’s appointment among key Ijesa leaders and stakeholders.
As Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup prepares to officially assume the mantle of leadership as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, the decision by Governor Adeleke to proceed with the appointment despite the court order is likely to have significant legal and political ramifications. The ceremony, set to take place on Sunday, December 29, 2024, will be closely watched as it marks a pivotal moment in the governance of Osun State and the traditional leadership of Ijesaland. Whether or not the court’s injunction will affect the installation remains to be seen, but it is clear that the political landscape in Osun State is facing yet another layer of complexity.
