The Arimoro royal family in Ijesaland has faulted the process that led to the selection of the new Owa Obokun, Prince Adesuyi Hasstrup at the weekend, describing it as a charade, breach of the established Ijesa tradition and gross abuse of judicial process.
Despite the order of Ilesa High Court, that restrained the Ijesa kingmakers, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke and any other group from selection of Owa Obokun, pending the determination of a substantive suit, instituted by the Ofokutu royal lineage, against Haastrup, a group of kingmakers was said to have held a closed-door meeting at the local government secretariat, Ilesa, on Friday, where only five kingmakers out of 13 voted to select a new Owa Obokun with a combined team of fully armed security agents.
The statement, signed by the Global Co-ordinator of Arimoro family lineage, Prince Adegoke ‘Dire Arimoro, described as ignoble and sacrilegious, the action of Ijesa kingmakers and the Osun State government in the selection of the new Owa Obokun, calling on all Ijesa indigenes home and abroad to stand against the imposition of the new Owa and defend the dignity, respect, and integrity of their heritage.
The family said the process that led to the shocking announcement of the Owa Obokun was a gross violation of due process as a compromised candidate had been forced on the people of Ijesaland by some kingmakers and therefore the family had rejected the purported Owa Obokun and shall deploy lawful means to ensure that the selection is nullified.
A few hours before the announcement of Haaatrup as the Owa Obokun-elect, the Arimoro family candidate for the stool, Prince Michael Adewale-Arimoro, had addressed a press conference in Ilesa where he declared that “We find ourselves at a crossroads; one path leads us towards compliance with the judiciary and our traditional values, while the other tempts us into silence and complicity. We must choose wisely. I implore all stakeholders to reflect deeply on the implications of their actions and to remember that true leadership is rooted in respect for tradition and the voices of the people.
“We must rally round our judicial system as our last bastion of hope. It is our duty to advocate for a transparent and lawful process, one that honors our customs and allows for the rightful selection of our next Owa Obokun through the revered channels of Ifa divination.
“Installing Owa Obokun from a particular lineage three times back to back in a ruling house sends the others into oblivion. We must unite to protect our heritage, uphold the sanctity of Ifa divination and ensure that justice prevails,” Prince Adewale-Arimoro said.
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