A royal battle intensifies in Ilesha as the Osun State government faces legal challenges over the selection of Prince Clement Haastrup as the Owa Obokun

A significant crisis is currently unfolding in Ilesha, Osun State, as a royal dispute threatens the region’s peace and stability.

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The ongoing contest for the Owa Obokun throne, following the death of Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has sparked intense legal and political battles, particularly surrounding the selection of Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the 40th Owa Obokun of Ijesa Land.

The controversy erupted after the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House selected Prince Clement Haastrup as their candidate for the throne.

Haastrup, a former deputy governor of Osun State, served under the late Governor Isiaka Adeleke, and his candidacy has met with fierce resistance from the Ofokutu Royal Family, who are contesting his appointment in the courts.

The Ofokutu family filed a suit seeking to halt his installation, accusing the Osun State Government of undue interference in the traditional succession process.

The Selection Process and Legal Battles

The succession of the Owa Obokun traditionally falls to the Ijesa kingmakers, known as the ‘Agba Ijesas’, who are tasked with selecting the new ruler from qualified royal families.

The Bilaro Oluodo Royal Clan, which includes four ruling houses—Ofokutu, Ajimoko (Haastrup family), Fajemisin, and Arimoro—was entrusted with the selection of the next monarch. Each of these ruling houses presented their candidates, and ten princes participated in the selection process.

Initially, the procedure appeared to be progressing smoothly until December 2024, when the Osun State Government allegedly interfered, prompting the Ofokutu Royal Family to approach the High Court for legal intervention.

The court ruled in favour of the Ofokutu family, ordering the state government to cease its involvement in the selection process.

Despite the court ruling, the Ilesha West Local Government, reportedly acting on directives from the state government, summoned five of the thirteen kingmakers loyal to the current administration.

These five kingmakers were instructed to conduct an election in secret, leading to the selection of Prince Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun.

This move has raised alarm among the remaining eight kingmakers, who argue that they were unfairly excluded from the electoral process.

Historical Context and the Role of the Haastrup Family

The Haastrup family has historically been involved in the Owa Obokun succession, though not without controversy.

The family’s rise to prominence in Ijesa royal history dates back to 1896 when the Haastrup family, initially from a background of slavery, was elevated to the throne as a reward for their role in the Ijesha and Ekiti Parapo war.

Critics argue that this history reflects a pattern of the family leveraging political influence and wealth to secure the throne, despite not being traditionally entitled to it.

In 1946, the Haastrup family ascended the throne once again, and now, in 2024, they are once again pushing for the third installation of a member of their family as the Owa Obokun.

This has sparked outrage among other royal families, including the Ofokutu, Arimoro, and Fajemisin families, who argue that the selection process has been manipulated to favour the Haastrups, undermining the traditional balance of power among the royal houses.

Ongoing Legal Disputes

The legal battle has intensified, with the Ofokutu family questioning the legitimacy of the state government’s actions. In January 2025, the family’s legal team pointed out discrepancies in the timing of court rulings and the state’s alleged disregard for judicial procedures.

On January 14, 2025, the Ofokutu family’s lawyers petitioned for the judge overseeing the case to recuse himself, citing potential bias, with further hearings scheduled for March 2025.

The legal dispute has caused significant unrest in Ilesha, with royal stakeholders calling for a resolution that honours the traditional processes and ensures fairness.

The seven disqualified kingmakers have rejected the selection of Prince Haastrup and are pushing for a more transparent and inclusive process.

Conclusion

The succession crisis in Ilesha underscores deep-rooted tensions in the region’s traditional leadership. As legal challenges continue and political interference is called into question, the future of the Owa Obokun throne remains uncertain.