The hope of people from Ijebu-Ode to have a new Awujale anytime soon is fading after the Ogun State Government ordered that the selection process should stop until further notice.
Before the suspension, there were several accusations and counter-accusations. Some people alleged that one of the aspirants was giving out large sums of money and brand-new vehicles to influence the process.
However, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, denied that the state government was involved in any wrongdoing. He said the governor did not interfere in the process at any time.
According to Akinmade, none of the Afobajes (kingmakers) can confirm such claims because they never happened. He described the allegations as false stories spread by troublemakers.
He added that Governor Dapo Abiodun is committed to following due process, respecting traditional institutions, and ensuring a fair and peaceful selection of a new Awujale. He also said the governor values the Awujale stool and is determined to protect Ijebu culture and harmony.
After the death of the former Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which is next to produce the Awujale, faced internal leadership disputes. At one point, more than three groups claimed leadership of the ruling house.
Later, the groups resolved their differences and agreed to work together to present candidates. Former leader of the ruling house, Dr. Adekunle Hassan, stepped down and allowed Otunba Abdullateef Owoyemi, a former ICAN president, to become the new head. This also allowed Hassan to contest for the Awujale position.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Adetona after 65 years on the throne. Before his death, the late monarch warned Ijebu people not to allow money to determine who would become the next Awujale.
Despite promises by kingmakers and ruling houses to follow tradition, disputes soon emerged. Accusations of financial inducement and gift-giving stalled the process within six months.
Initially, the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, approved the nomination process and gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, as required by law. However, the state government later stopped the process, saying the approval did not comply with the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration.
The government then ordered that the process should start afresh. The ruling house followed the directive and reopened nominations. More than 90 aspirants were nominated.
Problems arose when one group claimed it was denied access to the nomination venue and protested its exclusion from the process.
The ruling house later said it signed a nomination form for Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), whom it claimed was not a member of the family.
Earlier, KWAM 1 had accused the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of trying to exclude him from the process. In a letter to Governor Abiodun, he claimed that the ruling house was acting against established rules.
Many princes have shown interest in becoming the next Awujale since Oba Adetona’s death at the age of 91 on July 13, 2025.
KWAM 1’s allegations were sent to the governor in a letter dated January 8, 2026, through his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN). Before that, he had gone to court to stop the process, but the court refused his request. He later withdrew the case.
In another letter to the governor, KWAM 1 said the Ijebu-Ode Local Government had approved the nomination process in a letter dated January 6, 2026, and gave the ruling house 14 days to complete it.
He said he was surprised when the family’s spokesperson announced a screening exercise that he believed violated existing laws and official instructions.
According to him, the nomination was scheduled for January 12, 2026, against the laid-down rules.
Barely two weeks after the exercise, the Ogun State Government again suspended the process. The government cited complaints from stakeholders and reports from security agencies about procedural problems and asked the ruling house and kingmakers to wait for further instructions on the selection of a new Awujale.
