Owa Obokun palace dismisses Adebola Orolugbagbe’s claim to the Odole title as false, warning the public against giving him recognition

Owa Obokun palace dismisses Odole claim by Mr Adebola Orolugbagbe, describing his assertion of holding the title of Odole Owa of Ijesaland as false, misleading, and without legitimacy.

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The palace, in a statement signed by the Personal Secretary to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, John Abe, and made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday in Osogbo, cautioned the public against recognising or extending any privileges to Orolugbagbe under the disputed title.

The clarification followed an earlier statement by the Odole Chieftaincy Family, signed by Olumide Asaolu, which insisted that Orolugbagbe remained the Odole of Ilesa and rejected the installation of Makanjuola Afolabi as the new Odole by the palace.

The family maintained that only the Osun State Government had the authority to remove Orolugbagbe after due process, describing any other installation as unconstitutional and unlawful.

However, the Owa Obokun’s palace dismissed those claims, asserting that based on official records, the last recognised Odole Owa was High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje.

It explained that the former Owa, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, had not notified the state government of any completed selection process for Orolugbagbe before his demise.

“We state without any equivocation that the governor will only approve the selection and appointment of an Odole when the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland completes the process and notifies the government,” the statement read.

The palace clarified that the last recognised Odole, High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje, was duly confirmed after government notification by Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.

Since no such communication was made regarding Orolugbagbe, his claim, the palace said, “remained unrealistic and delusional.”

“Oba Aromolaran had not notified the state government of the completion of the selection of Mr Adebola Orolugbagbe before his demise, despite the length of the intervening period.

Consequently, Mr Adebola Orolugbagbe remained an ordinary person, as he was unable to vote during the process of selecting Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as Owa Obokun Adimula,” it added.

When contacted, Orolugbagbe offered a brief response to The PUNCH: “Ok. I will call you later on.”

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, ascended the throne on 27 December 2024 after a transparent selection process conducted by kingmakers of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House.

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Since assuming office, Oba Haastrup has established a panel on conduct, chieftaincy matters, and land disputes to strengthen traditional administration and foster harmony in Ijesaland.