Ruling House tells Abiodun to Lift suspension on Awujale selection process

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to immediately lift the suspension placed on the selection process for the next Awujale, describing the action as unjustified and based on unproven allegations. The appeal was made by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdul Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi, […]

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to immediately lift the suspension placed on the selection process for the next Awujale, describing the action as unjustified and based on unproven allegations.

The appeal was made by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdul Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi, who urged the governor to allow the traditional kingmakers to resume and conclude the process of selecting the 60th Awujale of Ijebuland.

In January, the government had halted the selection process after receiving “several” petitions, reports from security agencies and other key
stakeholders in relation to the process.

Daily Trust reports that that was the second time the government would stop the selection process to pick the successor of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

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Oba Adetona joined his ancestors last year after reigning for 65 years.

Daily Trust reports that the race to fill the vacant stool had been intense, marked by controversy and intrigue.

Already, the Fusengbuwa Ruling had submitted list of 94 princes and one princess cleared as candidates for the stool.

The ruling house subsequently passed the responsibility to the kingmakers to select the new Awujale out the 95 candidates before the latest development from the government, halting the process.

“In this regard, the State Government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process.

“In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time,” Hamzat said in the statement.

for the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Ganiyu Hamzat, had said government had “due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021 which empower it to “set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so.”

Addressing newsmen on Sunday at his Idowa residence in Odogbolu Local Government Area, Owoyemi said the prolonged suspension had stalled a crucial traditional process and caused concern among indigenes of Ijebu-Ode at home and abroad.

Owoyemi was flanked by Deputy Chairman of the ruling house, Dokun Ajidagba; Vice Chairman, Prof Fassy Yusuf and the Secretary, Pastor Bola Salami, said, “Today marks yet another solemn day in the history of Ijebu Ode, as the sons and daughters of this great land continue to yearn for the timely emergence of a new and 60th Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

“Oba Adetona deliberately placed the sacred responsibility of selecting his successor… in the hands of only his well trusted and self-anointed kingmakers.”

The appointed chiefs had “consistently discharged every responsibility entrusted to them with utmost loyalty, wisdom, integrity.”

According to him, the ruling house fulfilled its role by submitting a list of nominated candidates to the kingmakers in January, but the process was abruptly halted by government intervention.

Owoyemi said the government justified its directive with allegations of bribery and inducement but failed to provide details.

Owoyemi said, “For more than three months now, since 21st of January, 2026, the Ogun State Governor and his very close officials, have most unfairly and unprecedentedly, halted the entire Awujale selection process, in our honest and well considered opinion over speculative, unproven or unprovable allegations and frivolous petitions from persons who do not wish the Fusengbuwa Ruling House well and would like to sabotage the entire Awujale selection process.”

He added that members of the ruling house and kingmakers had since been invited for questioning by security agencies, including the police and DSS, without any evidence being established against them.

“As of today… none of us… has been found culpable… and the petition lacked any element capable of substantiation,” Owoyemi said.

“We therefore hereby make a passionate appeal… to kindly lift the suspension order… and direct the Afobaje kingmakers to immediately resume… and successfully conclude their age-long and statutory responsibility,” he said.

While acknowledging the governor’s commitment to transparency, Owoyemi urged him to act swiftly in the interest of peace and progress in Ijebuland.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to wade into the matter and ensure the suspended is lifted in ensuring the Ijebuland produces new monarch.