Fusengbuwa Ruling House Reaffirms Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba as Sole Olori-Ebi in Leadership Dispute

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebuland has reaffirmed High Chief Adedokun Ajidagba, popularly known as the Otunba Monigbuwa of Ijebu, as its only legitimate Family Head (Olori-Ebi), dismissing claims from other individuals laying parallel claims to the title. The controversy was reignited following reports that Dr. Adekunle Hassan, founder of Eye Foundation Hospital, had stepped aside as Olori-Ebi in favour of Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). The development has further deepened an internal leadership tussle that began after the passing of Prince Adebisi Adeyemi Obanlefa, the former head of the Fusengbuwa family, in 2013. The succession dispute initially pitched prominent figures, including the late Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun and Alhaji Owoyemi, against each other. However, the Ijebu-Ode High Court later ruled that Owoyemi was not a bona fide member of the Fusengbuwa lineage, citing sworn testimony linking his ancestry to Ikoro-Ekiti rather than Ijebu. Following that decision, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House formally appointed Otunba Ajidagba as its head, a decision subsequently recognized by other ruling houses as well as the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. For more than a decade, Ajidagba has functioned as the acknowledged leader of the Fusengbuwa family without challenge. The position of Olori-Ebi is significant in Ijebu’s traditional governance structure. As one of the four ruling houses—Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, Fidipote, and Gbelebuwa—the Fusengbuwa family is central to the rotational selection of the Awujale throne. The Olori-Ebi oversees family affairs and plays a decisive role in nominating candidates for the Awujale stool whenever it becomes vacant. Despite this recognition, reports of Alhaji Owoyemi and Dr. Hassan’s continued claims have stirred confusion. Both men are linked to the so-called Arojojoye family branch, which does not exist in Ijebu’s officially recognized chieftaincy structure and is currently subject to litigation. Traditional leaders in Ijebuland have emphasized that no precedent exists where a ruling house is headed by someone residing outside Ijebu-Ode, noting that Alhaji Owoyemi hails from Idowa. Amid these disputes, family representatives have urged unity within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and across Ijebuland. They stress that internal wrangling could delay the smooth installation of a new Awujale, a position of immense cultural significance in Yorubaland. Prince Adeleye L. Ademuyiwa, the family’s Public Relations Officer, reiterated the Fusengbuwa family’s stance: “High Chief Adedokun Ajidagba remains the only legitimate Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. Any other claims are baseless and cannot stand against established tradition and court rulings.” As Ijebuland looks towards the future selection of a new Awujale, elders and stakeholders across the four ruling houses are expected to play key roles in ensuring peace, transparency, and respect for cultural heritage.