Owa Obokun Palace Odole clarification dismisses Adebola Orolugbagbe’s claim to the Odole title as false, unrealistic, and without any legal or traditional basis

Owa Obokun Palace Odole clarification has been issued following reports that misrepresented Mr. Adebola Orolugbagbe as the Odole of Ilesa.

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The Palace of the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup (Ajimoko III), described the claim as unrealistic, delusional, and null and void.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the monarch’s Personal Secretary, Mr. John Abe, the Palace condemned the misinformation, describing it as a deliberate attempt to distort the traditional process governing the selection of the Odole of Ilesa.

The Palace reaffirmed that only the Governor of Osun State can approve the appointment of an Odole after the Owa Obokun has completed the selection process and formally notified the government.

According to the statement, the last recognised Odole of Ilesa on government record was High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje, who was appointed following notification by the late Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II.

The Palace stressed that Oba Aromolaran had not completed or notified the state government of Mr. Orolugbagbe’s selection before his passing, meaning that Orolugbagbe “remained an ordinary person.”

As a result, the Palace noted, Mr. Orolugbagbe was not eligible to vote during the selection process of the current Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Haastrup.

“Therefore, Mr. Adebola Orolugbagbe’s claim to any title is unrealistic and delusional,” the statement said.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to accord him any recognition. Any acts carried out by him under such false titular claim are null, void, and of no effect.”

The Palace further reiterated that it remains committed to upholding the sanctity of traditional institutions in Ijesaland and warned against misinformation capable of undermining its authority or misleading the public.

The strongly worded statement followed an earlier press release signed by Pastor Olumide Asaolu, dated 25 October 2025, which the Palace said sought to “falsify facts” about the selection process for the Odole Chieftaincy Stool.

Oba Haastrup’s Palace described the clarification as necessary to preserve public trust and ensure that traditional titles in Ijesaland continue to be bestowed strictly in accordance with custom and law.

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The Owa Obokun Palace Odole clarification underscores the paramount ruler’s firm stance against what it called “distortions of tradition and delusional self-claims.”