Awujale selection: Ruling house decries silence, seeks Tinubu, Abiodun’s intervention
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode has expressed concern over the continued suspension of the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland, urging President Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, to intervene.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode has expressed concern over the continued suspension of the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland, urging President Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, to intervene.
The Chairman of the ruling house, Abdulateef Owoyemi, spoke on Sunday at his Ijebu Idowa residence alongside the Deputy Chairman, Adedokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman, Fassy Yusuf.
Owoyemi said the three-month embargo placed on the selection process had caused anxiety across Ijebuland, adding that residents were eager for the emergence of a successor to the late Oba Sikiru Adetona.
He said the delay had persisted despite the fact that security agencies had not indicted any member of the ruling house or the kingmakers invited for questioning over alleged bribery.
According to him, the selection process, being handled by the kingmakers led by Dr Sunny Kuku, should be allowed to proceed in line with tradition.
“For more than three months now, the Ogun State Government has halted the Awujale selection process over petitions that have not been substantiated,” he said.
He added that members of the ruling house had been repeatedly invited by the police and the Department of State Services, but no incriminating evidence had been found against them.
“We have become victims of suspicion and intimidation despite no findings of wrongdoing,” he said.
Owoyemi appealed for the immediate lifting of the suspension, urging the government to allow the kingmakers to complete their statutory responsibility of selecting the next Awujale.
“We therefore hereby make a passionate appeal to His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun and his key officials and advisers, to kindly lift the suspension order placed on this 60th Awujale selection process since over three months ago.
“We urge the governor to please direct the Afobaje Kingmakers to immediately resume, meticulously carry out, and successfully conclude their age long and statutory responsibility of wisely and objectively selecting the next Awujale for Ijebu Ode and Ijebuland without any further delay or intervention,” Owoyemi said.
He also expressed confidence in the integrity of the kingmakers, describing them as individuals who had served the late monarch with loyalty and discipline.
“We believe the kingmakers cannot be influenced to act against the will of the people or tradition,” he added.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, after 65 years on the throne.
The Ogun State Government had earlier halted the selection process in January 2026, citing petitions from security agencies and stakeholders, following an earlier suspension over procedural concerns in December 2025.
A total of 95 aspirants,94 princes and one princess,had emerged from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House nomination process held in Ijebu Ode.
