Ogun Government Steps In To Reassess Awujale Succession Nomination, Citing Legal Safeguards
The Ogun State Government has officially intervened in the ongoing succession arrangements for the vacant throne of the Awujale of Ijebuland, resulting in the suspension of a planned nomination exercise by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
The intervention was aimed at addressing procedural irregularities that state officials fear could spark legal challenges if unaddressed.
The ruling house, which is constitutionally next to present a candidate following the death of the long‑serving monarch, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, had earlier slated Monday, December 15, 2025, for its nomination meeting.
The late Oba Adetona, who passed away in July at the age of 91, left behind a legacy of stability and continuity, making the choice of his successor a matter of both cultural and political significance in southwestern Nigeria.
Issued in a letter dated December 11, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House detailed plans for the nomination gathering at Bisrod Hall in Ijebu‑Ode, outlining requirements that only verified family representatives attend and that each aspirant be proposed and seconded by accredited members of the lineage.
However, the state’s involvement prompted an abrupt postponement of the event.
Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, chairman of the ruling house, confirmed that a government‑convened meeting took place earlier in the week, bringing together ruling family officials and state authorities to scrutinise the preparatory steps taken so far.
According to him, the objective was to ensure strict adherence to both customary norms and statutory provisions, thereby forestalling avoidable disputes.
Speaking to journalists, Owoyemi dismissed speculation that the intervention was linked to any individual aspirant, notably Fuji music star Wasiu “KWAM1” Ayinde, whose recent attempt to assert royal lineage had generated public attention.
The ruling house has openly challenged claims regarding his eligibility, directing him and other interested contenders to satisfy stringent lineage documentation requirements before further consideration.
Prof. Fassy Yusuf, vice‑chairman of the Fusengbuwa house, also acknowledged that dialogue with government officers was aimed at fine‑tuning the exercise and ensuring compliance with established legal frameworks.
The postponement, he said, would allow more robust preparation and avert procedural lapses that might derail the selection process in the courts.
No new date has yet been set for the nomination meeting, but officials from both the ruling house and the Ogun State Government have pledged to announce it in due course once consensus is reached.
Meanwhile, stakeholders remain hopeful that the collaborative review will strengthen the integrity of the Awujale selection and uphold the rich traditions of Ijebuland.
