Billionaire businessman and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has emerged the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
Haastrup, chairman of ENL Consortium Limited, of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, was elected, Wednesday, as the Owa Obokun Ajimoko III and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.
He defeated nine other candidates in a free and fair selection process held at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat along the Ilesa-Osogbo motorway.
The kingmakers included six Iwora Mefa namely 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, and seven Agba Ijesa, Risawe of Ilesa. High Chief Adefioye Adedeji, Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo, Lejofi, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi, Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbaroola, Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso , Odole of Ilesa, High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe and Mr Abimbola Aluko (warrant officer representing the Saloro of ilesa whose stool is vacant).
Announcing the result, the Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West Local Government, Mrs. Felicia Olabimtan said Looja Clement Adesuyi secured highest votes and emerged as the owa Obokun-elect.
She said six of the kingmakers voted, while High Chief Adefioye Adedeji was absent and seven others were not eligible.
Speaking with newsmen after the exercise , the Ogboni of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro and the Elegboro of Ijesaland, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, described the exercise as peaceful, congratulating the Owa-elect and the ijesas for the smooth beginning of a new era in Ijesaland.