The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has stressed the importance of cordial collaboration between the Federal and State Governments as a catalyst for accelerated development, saying such cooperation is essential for delivering meaningful infrastructure and socio-economic progress.
The monarch made the remarks on Wednesday when the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15, 2026 election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), led party leaders, campaign officials and supporters on a courtesy visit to his palace in Ilesa to seek royal blessings for his governorship bid.
Addressing the delegation, Oba Haastrup described the people of Ijesaland as educated, politically conscious and development-driven, noting that they are capable of making informed electoral decisions.
He lamented what he described as years of neglect of the zone in critical sectors, particularly potable water supply, despite Ijesaland’s contributions to the development of Osun State.
According to the monarch, the people are yearning for improved infrastructure, quality education, better healthcare and other dividends of democracy.
“Our people are educated and enlightened. They know where they are going and understand what is in their best interest. We need development in Ijesaland, and we believe that working closely with the Federal Government is important for any state that desires rapid growth and transformation,” he said.
Oba Haastrup openly declared his support for the APC candidate, describing Oyebamiji as humble, experienced and accessible. He expressed confidence in the candidate’s capacity to govern the state effectively and prayed for divine guidance and success in his political journey.
The monarch also commended former Governor of Osun State and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for facilitating the construction of the Ilesa-Ibadan dual carriageway, describing the project as a landmark achievement with far-reaching economic benefits for Ijesaland and the South-West.
He recalled that the road had remained a long-standing aspiration of the people and praised Oyetola for fulfilling what he described as one of the promises made during his installation.
Oba Haastrup further unveiled his vision of transforming Ijesaland into a major centre of higher education. He said his aspiration is to see three functional universities operating within the zone and urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to work with Senator Francis Fadahunsi and other stakeholders to make the dream a reality.
“I want Ijesaland to become an educational hub. We already have institutions, but my vision is to have three fully functional universities serving our people and attracting students from across Nigeria. I believe this can be achieved through collaboration between the state government and our representatives at the National Assembly,” he said.
Despite expressing support for the APC candidate, the monarch acknowledged Governor Ademola Adeleke for the support his administration provided during his coronation, saying the gesture contributed significantly to the success of the installation ceremonies and deserved appreciation.
Earlier, the Director-General of the AMBO Campaign Organisation, Hon. Wole Oke, appealed to the monarch to mobilise the people of Ijesaland in support of Oyebamiji’s governorship ambition.
Oke described Ijesaland as a politically sophisticated zone and expressed confidence that its people would vote for competence, experience and good governance in the August 15 governorship election.
He said Oyebamiji’s candidature offers an opportunity to reposition Osun State through inclusive governance and prudent management of public resources.
The campaign director also criticised the appointment pattern of the Adeleke administration, alleging that key political appointments were disproportionately concentrated in Ede, the governor’s hometown.
He assured the monarch that an APC administration under Oyebamiji would ensure fairness in the distribution of appointments and developmental projects across all parts of Osun State.
The visit formed part of Oyebamiji’s statewide consultations with traditional rulers and other stakeholders as campaigns intensify ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
