Ijesa youths warn against imposition of candidate on Owa Obokun stool

Youths in Ijesaland have warned the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, against imposing his preferred candidate on the stool.They threatened to resist any form of imposition, saying that the towns that make up Ijesaland are eagerly waiting for fairness and blameless traditional rites in the filling of the vacant throne. In a statement, yesterday, by the youths, under the aegis of Integrity Caucus of the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House, Adeleke and kingmakers of Ijesaland were urged to only allow the Ifa oracle to reveal who would mount the stool.

Secretary of the group, Gbenga Tosho Haastrup, who signed the statement, claimed that there had been speculation that the state government was already planning to impose someone on the people, warning that such would create a crisis. He said: “The throne cannot remain vacant as all eyes are on the next ruling house, Bilaro Olu-Odo, to fill the vacuum. It is our belief that the ruling house is endowed with sons who are blessed with leadership skills and qualities to move Ijesaland to greater heights.



“The last time Ijesaland witnessed similar period was 43 years ago when Oba Peter Adeniran Agunlejika II joined his ancestors. So, it is a great privilege for us all to witness this period and if this privilege is not well utilised, it will speak volume of our future as youths of Ijesaland.”Haastrup appealed to the Ijesa kingmakers to maximise their offices to uphold the ancient tradition in selecting the next Owa Obokun.

He, therefore, urged them to resist bribery in the selection process, saying: “There is no gainsaying that there will be a lot of patronage from the interested princes but we should all be reminded that the sacrifices of our past heroes and heroines must be well acknowledged.”.