By Peter Omopo
A dispute has erupted in Ijesaland over the rightful holder of the Odole Owa chieftaincy title, as the Palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, dismissed claims by Mr. Adebola Orolugbagbe to the position, describing them as false and without legitimacy.
In a statement signed by the monarch’s Personal Secretary, Mr. John Abe, and made available to The PUNCH in Osogbo on Wednesday, the palace cautioned members of the public against recognizing or extending any privileges to Orolugbagbe in connection with the title.
The palace’s position followed a counter-statement issued earlier by the Odole Chieftaincy Family, signed by Mr. Olumide Asaolu, which insisted that Orolugbagbe remained the legitimate Odole of Ilesa and condemned the installation of Mr. Makanjuola Afolabi by the palace as a replacement.
The family maintained that only the Osun State Government had the authority to remove Orolugbagbe from office, insisting that no due process had been initiated to that effect.
“As far as the entire Odole family is concerned, but for a few disgruntled members, Chief Adebola Orolugbagbe has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and the government has not notified anyone of plans to remove him as Odole of Ilesa,” the statement read.
“Therefore, any purported installation of any other person as Odole of Ilesa is unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void,” it added.
However, the palace countered that official records recognized the late High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje as the last substantive Odole Owa of Ijesaland, noting that the immediate past Owa, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, did not complete the formal process of notifying the state government about Orolugbagbe’s alleged selection before his death.
“We state without equivocation that the governor can only approve the appointment of an Odole after the Owa Obokun completes the selection process and duly notifies the state government,” the statement said.
It added, “The last confirmed Odole, High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje, was approved by the government upon the formal notification by Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran. However, before his demise, Oba Aromolaran did not inform the government that Mr. Adebola Orolugbagbe had been validly selected. Consequently, Mr. Orolugbagbe remains an ordinary citizen.”
The palace further stated that Orolugbagbe did not participate in the election of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as Owa Obokun Adimula, arguing that this underscored his lack of legitimate status.
“Therefore, Mr. Adebola Orolugbagbe’s claim to any title is unrealistic and delusional,” the palace declared.
When contacted by The PUNCH for his reaction, Orolugbagbe responded briefly, saying, “Ok. I will call you later on.”
It would be recalled that Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, ascended the throne of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland on December 27, 2024, after being elected by kingmakers at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat.
Since assuming office, Oba Haastrup has established panels to address issues relating to conduct, chieftaincy matters, and land disputes, as part of his efforts to promote peace and stability across Ijesaland.
