Awujale: Ruling House urges lifting of selection suspension

The Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Alhaji Abdulateef Owoyemi, has again expressed concern over the continued suspension of the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Addressing journalists at his Ijebu Idowa residence on Sunday, Owoyemi, supported by the Deputy Chairman and Vice Chairman of the ruling house, Chief Adedokun Ajidagba and Prof Fassy Yusuf, said residents of Ijebuland were unhappy that the state government had prevented the kingmakers from completing the selection process.

He noted that recent invitations extended to the kingmakers and some leaders of the ruling house by the state police command over allegations of bribery and inducement had not yielded any findings, as none of those invited was found culpable.

Owoyemi said the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir and Ojude Oba festival had heightened expectations for the announcement of a successor to the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, adding that the development would have been a major highlight of the celebrations.

The former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria called on Governor Dapo Abiodun and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and lift the suspension on the selection process, allowing Dr Sunny Kuku-led kingmakers to proceed with selecting the next Awujale from the list of 94 princes and one princess nominated by the ruling house.

He described the kingmakers, selected by the late Oba Adetona to perform the sacred duty of choosing his successor, as individuals of impeccable integrity committed to the traditions of Ijebuland.

He said: “All of these distinguished and carefully selected kingmakers and Ijebu Ode high chiefs have served the Awujale Palace and Ijebuland in various important capacities for several decades during the reign of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

“None of them has ever been found wanting, and each one has consistently discharged every responsibility entrusted to him with utmost loyalty, wisdom, integrity, and always in the best interest of the crown, Ijebu Ode citizens, and the entire Ijebuland and Ogun State.”

Owoyemi added: “For more than three months now, since January 21, 2026, the Ogun State Government and its officials have halted the Awujale selection process over speculative and frivolous petitions from persons who do not wish the Fusengbuwa Ruling House well and seek to sabotage the process.

“The Afobaje Council members and family heads have intermittently been invited for questioning by both the police and the Department of State Services in the state.

“At no point was any incriminating evidence found against any of us.

“Rather, the kingmakers and family leaders appear to have become victims of unfair suspicion, witch-hunting, intimidation, and character assassination.

“We strongly believe that the Awujale kingmakers cannot be persuaded by any form of pressure, inducement, or influence to act against their conscience or tradition.

“We therefore make a passionate appeal to His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, and his advisers to lift the suspension placed on the selection process and allow the kingmakers to conclude their statutory responsibility without further delay or interference.”

Owoyemi commended Abiodun’s commitment to transparency and fairness in the process, expressing gratitude on behalf of the ruling house.

He assured aspirants and residents of Ijebuland that the eventual conclusion of the process would bring peace, progress, and renewed hope to the community.

Recall that the Ogun State Government had suspended the selection process in January following petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.

The process had earlier been halted in December 2025 over procedural concerns.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.

A total of 95 aspirants, comprising 94 princes and one princess, from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had emerged during a nomination exercise held in Ijebu-Ode.