Race For Awujale Stool Intensifies

The race for the highly revered Awujale throne in Ijebuland, Ogun State, has moved into a crucial phase, Weekend Trust reports.

On December 2, the Ogbeni-Odi of Ijebuland, Chief Adaron Gbede, arrived with the Opa Ase Oba Awujale (symbol of authority) at Agunshebi Quarters, Ile Nla, Fusengbuwa Awujale ruling house, Ijebu-Ode, amid jubilation. The arrival of the Opa Ase Oba Awujale at the heir-apparent ruling house compound signalled the traditional commencement of the process of filling the vacant stool of the Awujale and successor to the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II.

Oba Adetona, like a colossus, ascended one of the most prominent stools in Yorubaland at the age of 26 and ruled for over six decades before joining his ancestors on July 13 at the age of 91.

“He was a towering natural ruler who served his people with dignity, panache, class, and an unmistakable sense of duty,” President Bola Tinubu stated in a glowing tribute.

After his burial and 40 days of mourning, Governor Dapo Abiodun, in August met with the Awujale Chiefs-in-Council in Ijebu-Ode to set machinery in motion in search of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Speaking after a meeting at his Iperu residence, Abiodun said it was imperative for the people of Ijebuland to have a new Awujale as soon as possible, as “nature abhors a vacuum.”

The governor assured the people of Ijebuland that his administration would support any candidate presented by the kingmakers at the end of the nomination process.

“Nature abhors a vacuum; and the process of installing another Awujale has started. The pathway to having in place a regency is the pathway to ensuring that all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, and to ensure that all the processes which are enshrined in the laws of Ijebuland are strictly followed,” the governor said.

Shortly after the meeting, an 11-member administrative body was set up by the state government to oversee various administrative and traditional responsibilities during the period of transition pending the installation of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamsat, disclosed this in a statement, listing the members as Chief Folorunso Sunny Kuku – chairman (Ilamuren); Chief Oluwaranti Lekan Osifeso – secretary (Madassa); Chief Stephen Bakare Oluwalogbon – member (Ilamuren); Chief Bisola Oluneye Okuboyejo – member (Ilamuren); Chief Funmilola Okunowo – member (Ilamuren).

Others are Professor Jide Ajayi – member (Ilamuren); Chief Tunde Odulaja – member (Pampa); Chief Abimbola Okenla – member (Pampa); Chief Agboola Alawusa – member (Pampa); Chief (Mrs) Adebisi Oshibogun – member (Pampa); and Chief Adebisi Adaran (Gbeden) – member (Ogbeni-Odi).

He said the state government established the committee to ensure stability, continuity and respect for the cherished tradition of Ijebu-Ode during the transition period.

The commissioner called on the sons and daughters of Ijebuland at home and abroad, as well as stakeholders, to support the body to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the transition to a new Awujale.

Ruling houses

By the declaration made under section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law 1957 of the Customary Law regulating the selection of the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy, there are four ruling houses: Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya (where Oba Adetona came from), Fusengbuwa and Fidipote.

Findings showed that the process of selecting a new Awujale involves steps outlined in Ijebu traditional laws and customs and involves the participation of the kingmakers (members of the highest traditional council) and the ruling houses of the land.

According to the general outline, the process begins with the passing of the current Awujale, followed by consultation with kingmakers to initiate the selection process.

The ruling houses are consulted to determine which house is next in line to produce a candidate, followed by the nomination of a candidate by the next ruling house.

The kingmakers then consider the nominated candidates, evaluating their suitability and adherence to traditional norms. The final selection is made by the kingmakers, who present the chosen candidate to Ijebu people. The selected candidate undergoes traditional coronation rites and ceremonies to become the new Awujale.

According to the rotation order, the Fusengbuwa ruling house is the heir apparent to the Awujale stool.

The Gbelegbuwa ruling house produced Oba Adetona’s predecessor, while he hailed from Anikinaiya. In that order, the Fidipote ruling house is next after Fusengbuwa.

Awujale Gbelegbuwa became an Oba in Ijebu history in 1760. The Gbelegbuwa line was restored in 1933 when Daniel Adesanya Gbelegbuwa II ascended the throne and reigned from 1933 to 1959. Oba Adetona of the Anikinaiya ruling house succeeded him in 1960.

Records show that the first Fusengbuwa ruling period was between 1790 and 1891, following the first Gbelegbuwa’s reign of 1760–1790.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house has many branches across Ijebu-Ode, including the Olukoku royal house at Olode, the Ile Nla at Agunsebi and the Tunwase branch, from which the British-era Awujale (1885–1895) emerged. Adekoga Eleruja, also from the Tunwase/Fusengbuwa branch, became Awujale in 1916.

Oba Adenuga Folagbade, crowned in 1925, also hailed from the Fusengbuwa-Tunwase line. Many princes from the Fusengbuwa houses later became kings in other Ijebu settlements along Epe road.

Many jostle for stool

Even before the Fusengbuwa ruling house officially commenced the selection process, many princes had begun to show interest in the revered throne.

But the family cautioned the public against paying attention to a purported list of candidates circulating on the social media, describing it as distraction. They noted that the list did not originate from the family and was the handiwork of unscrupulous actors attempting to cause confusion and interfere with a sacred, time-honoured process.

The family reassured the public that the process would follow due consultation, traditional rites and established customs before a candidate is formally presented to the kingmakers.

Findings by our correspondent showed that at least 35 princes who indicated interest in succeeding Oba Adetona have been screened by the leadership of the ruling house.

Of all the aspirants, a few have publicly declared their intentions. Top among them is Otunba Dr Adekunle Olubola Hassan, a renowned ophthalmic surgeon, Chief Medical Director of the Eye Foundation and former chairman of the Council of Otunbas. Other aspirants who made public declarations are Adekunle Olufemi Adenuga, Debo Adebowale, Otunba (Engr) Abdul-Fatai Olusegun Arowolo, and 45-year-old Olaseni Ottun, among others.

K1’s entry stirs controversy

The entry of a Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1) into the race has stirred controversy.

Ayinde is traditionally associated with the Fidipote ruling house, through which he holds the title, “Olori Omooba of Ijebu.”

However, his announcement to contest through the Jadiara unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house surprised many.

The official collection of forms was expected to close on Friday, December 5, but the chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi (former president of ICAN), granted Ayinde an additional five days, which lapsed on Wednesday, December 10.

He directed Ayinde to prove his genealogical link to the ruling house from which he intended to contest.

However, the chairman of the Jadiara ruling house, Otunba Akinola Odedina, disputed Ayinde’s claim.

In a letter circulating online, Odedina stated; “I can say categorically that Wasiu has no genealogical lineage to the Jadiara royal house.”

Ayinde fired back, maintaining that he has roots in both the Fidipote and Fusengbuwa houses and is eligible to contest.

In the form he submitted, now circulating on the social media, his lineage is traced to the Setejoye family unit of the Jadiara ruling house through his father, Adisa Adesanya Anifowoshe.

The form was countersigned by Omooba Adetayo Oduneye, the head of the Setejoye unit.

However, in an interesting twist of events arising from an extended family meeting on Thursday, the ruling house rejected the form submitted by Ayinde, saying it is of no consequence.

The decision was contained in a letter dated December 11, 2025 and addressed to Ayinde.

The letter was jointly signed by Otunba Lateef owoyemi, the chairman of the ruling house; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, deputy chairman; Prof Fassy Yusuf, vice chairman; Pastor Bola Salami, general secretary; Otunba Akinola Odedina, head of Jadiara royal house, and Alhaji Adebisi Quadri.

The ruling house said its “extensive investigation” failed to reveal Ayinde’s proof of membership of the Jadiara royal house or indeed, that of the Fusengbuwa ruling house.

It reads: “We write to confirm the receipt of the above completed form dated December 10, 2025 and signed by your good self. Curiously, the form was certified by a purported family unit head, one Omoba Adetayo Abayomi Oduneye   Eruwobodo on December 8, 2025, two days before your good self signed it! In other words, the form was pre-assigned.

“Please permit us to reply as follows: The form was not signed by the authorised representative (family head) of your purported family unit head; Omoba Adetayo Abayomi Oduneye Eruobodo is not a registered member of the Jadiara royal house; and therefore, has no locus standi to sign any linkage form on behalf of the family; our extensive investigation has not revealed any proof of your membership of the Jadiara royal house or indeed that of the Fusengbuwa ruling house.

“Consequently, the completed linkage lineage form is hereby declared null, void and of no consequence. For the avoidance of doubt, your claim to the membership of the Fusengbuwa ruling house is rejected; and the completed form is of no consequence.

Ruling house races against time

Ijebu-Ode Local Government, in a letter dated December 2, gave the Fusengbuwa ruling house a 14-day ultimatum to present a qualified candidate for the vacant stool.

The letter, addressed to the head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house and signed by the secretary to the local government, Abiodun Adebanjo (on behalf of the council chairman), stated: “You are hereby requested to submit name or names of nominated candidate or candidates within 14 days from the date of this letter to the Executive Chairman’s Office through the prescribed traditional procedure.

“We urge the ruling house to conduct the selection process peacefully, transparently and in line with the tradition of Ijebuland.”

It is not clear if the ruling house will meet the 14-day ultimatum, which is expected to elapse on Monday. However, a source told our correspondent that barring last minute changes, the ruling house will take a decision on nomination on Monday.

‘We’ll follow late Awujale’s counsel on selection’

The Olori-Ebi (head) of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, declared that the family would follow the wise counsel of the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, who advised before his passing that the throne should not be sold to “money bags.”

Weekend Trust reports that the late Awujale had highlighted conditions that must guide the selection of his successor.

During the 2019 edition of the Ojude-Oba festival, he warned that the process must not be politicized, and that only a competent successor should be chosen.

He said: “When I eventually go, please go for a capable successor. Reject any candidate that will put Ijebuland into retrogression. Do not politicise the process of selecting my successor. Do not go for people that will draw Ijebu backwards.

“If the next ruling house does not present a viable candidate, please reject them and go for the next ruling house with a capable candidate.

“Do not go for money bags that will destroy the achievements Ijebuland has recorded so far. Call on God for direction when picking my successor. Ask God to guide you.”

Speaking recently, Owoyemi said that heeding the late monarch’s counsel remained the best way to ensure a competent successor.

He added: “So far, in our unit, we have seen likely candidates and they have come to see us with money; and in every case, we rejected it. We let them know that we are not going to accept any money from anybody. If anybody becomes Awujale and comes back to thank us with gifts, it is understandable, but not before he becomes Awujale.”

He said the task before him was to unite all the units of the Fusengbuwa ruling house and bring dissenting voices together ahead of nominating candidates for the throne. His goal, he stressed, was harmony and peace, not controversy.

“We are going to moderate the family to make sure we go to meeting as one to make nominations. We are not going to appoint an Awujale; we don’t have the power. We can only make nominations, and if nominations are made and seconded, it goes on record. If they are too many, we will do screening; otherwise, the kingmakers will do their selection,” he said.

‘The Awujale we want’ 

A resident of Ijebu-Ode and veteran journalist, Baaroyin Dayo Rufai, told Weekend Trust that Ijebu indigenes expect the would-be Awujale to be a credible and uncompromising personality capable of building on the legacy left behind by the late Oba Adetona.

Rufai noted that the late monarch, who ascended the throne at the age of 26, elevated the status of the institution, both financially and socially, to its zenith during his reign.

According to him, Oba Adetona was so highly respected nationally that even presidents consulted him on critical national issues while he was alive.

“He was one of the few kings that presidents looked up to in Nigeria. President Tinubu used to consult him on national matters. He further elevated the status of the throne beyond what he met on ground.

“He left the throne with an unblemished record. You would not find any top politician in the country who looked down on him. So, people are now looking for a successor who will also be above board and build on the legacy he left behind,” Rufai said.

A legal luminary in Ijebu-Ode, AbdulWasiu Oduwole, appealed to all the levels of government to remain neutral in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland. He also warned the kingmakers to avoid any form of corruption as the succession process began.

Oduwole made the call during an interview with journalists at his office in Degun, Ijebu-Ode.

He emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the established laws guiding the ascension to the Awujale throne, noting that history would remember the roles played by both officials and kingmakers.

He reaffirmed that the Chiefs Law of 1957 governed the process, providing for rotation among the four ruling houses, while recognising both male and female lines – including children born before or during their father’s reign.

He described Ijebu-Ode kingmakers as credible and reputable individuals, expressing confidence that they would act in accordance with the law.

Oduwole also commended the Fusengbuwa ruling house for conducting themselves with dignity, and urged them to maintain decorum and cooperate fully with the kingmakers.(Daily trust)