The Fusengbuwa Ruling House has explained why it first fixed the price of the application form for the Awujale of Ijebuland throne at ₦10 million. The family said the decision was made after internal discussions and was meant to be fair to all qualified family members.
The Olori Ebi of the ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, explained this on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. This comes as arguments continue over the delayed selection of a new Awujale.
Owoyemi said the family agreed during a general meeting that anyone who wanted to contest for the throne should help pay for the cost of the nomination process. He said this is a common practice in Yoruba traditional systems.
According to him, different amounts were suggested at the meeting. The proposed fee was first as high as ₦100 million, but after long discussions, it was reduced and finally agreed at ₦10 million. Twelve family members applied and each paid ₦10 million.
However, Owoyemi said all the money was returned after the Ogun State Government stepped in. The government directed that the process should be open to all qualified family members without any payment.
He said the refunds were made within three days and proof of payment was sent to the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, the Secretary to the State Government, and the governor.
Owoyemi also denied claims that the Awujale throne was being sold. He said the money was only meant to cover administrative and logistical expenses, not for personal use.
He added that such fees, when used, are usually paid into a family account and shared for common expenses, stressing that the ruling house never planned to sell the throne.
Owoyemi further explained that the current selection process now allows all qualified family members to take part, unlike the old system where only elders chose the king. This, he said, has reduced bribery and undue influence.
The Awujale selection process became uncertain after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona on July 13, 2025. Since then, disagreements over who is qualified and how the process should be handled led to more applicants, protests, and petitions. As a result, the Ogun State Government suspended the process in January 2026.
