Ijebuland Needs New Awujale Before Sallah – Chief Imam Tells Abiodun

The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo, has begged Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to urgently address the delay surrounding the selection of a new Awujale and ensure emergence of the next monarch before the upcoming Ileya (Eid-el-Kabir) festival.

He described the emergence of a new Awujale as critical to the cultural and religious life of Ijebuland especially the Ileya festival.

Daily Trust reports that the government had in January halted the selection process for the successor of late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away on July 13, 2025.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Ganiyu Hamzat, announced the suspension in a letter dated January 20, 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government.

The government said it halted the process after receiving “several” petitions, reports from security agencies and other key
stakeholders in relation to the process.

The race to fill the vacant stool had been intense, marked by controversy and intrigue.

Already, the Fusengbuwa Ruling had submitted list of 94 princes and one princess cleared as candidates for the stool.

The ruling house subsequently had passed the responsibility to the kingmakers to select the new Awujale out the 95 candidates before the suspension order from the government, three months ago.

At a press conference on Sunday, Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdul Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi, urged the governor to allow the traditional kingmakers to resume and conclude the process of selecting the 60th Awujale of Ijebuland without further delay.

Owoyemi said the prolonged suspension had stalled a crucial traditional process and caused concern among indigenes of Ijebu-Ode at home and abroad.

Also speaking during a ceremony for the inaugural airlift of 2026 intending pilgrims to depart from Gateway International Airport, Iperu, to Saudi Arabia, the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, urged the governor to address the lingering issues delaying the emergence of a new Awujale.

He emphasised the importance of the Ileya festival to the people, noting that the absence of a monarch could disrupt long-standing traditions.

“Your Excellency, you were like a son to the late Awujale,” he said, recalling how the governor returned from London to participate in the monarch’s funeral prayers last year.

“We urge you to continue to show that same love even after his demise by ensuring that a new Awujale is installed before Ileya.”

Ayanbadejo noted that the kingmakers had completed their assignment and pleaded for forgiveness if any party had offended the government in the process.

“In the name of God, I appeal to Your Excellency, the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff and all commissioners to kindly intervene so that Ijebuland can have a new Awujale before the Ileya festival,” he said.

Describing his message as a plea rather than a demand, the cleric also called on sons and daughters of Ijebuland to join in appealing to the governor.

Highlighting the historical significance of the festival, he explained that Eid-el-Kabir prayers have been observed in Ijebu Ode since 1875, when the then Christian Awujale provided land for Muslim worshippers and donated a ram for sacrifice.

“Since then, it has become a tradition for the reigning Awujale to provide the ram slaughtered at the Eid ground. If we do not have a monarch this year, who will provide the ram?” he asked.