Ogun Govt Halts Awujale Selection Amid Petitions, Security Concerns

 

The Ogun State Government has once again suspended the process for selecting a new Awujale of Ijebuland following a surge of petitions from security agencies and key stakeholders.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, said the suspension was necessary to protect public order and uphold the integrity of the selection process.

The statement emphasized the significance of the Awujale stool, describing it as “one of the foremost traditional stools in Yoruba land, particularly in Ogun State.” It noted that the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years and passed away in July 2025 at the age of 91, had elevated the prestige of the stool.

“With several petitions and reports from security agencies and stakeholders at our disposal, the government has deemed it imperative to halt the selection process in the interest of peace, order, and good governance,” the statement read. It further directed that the decision be communicated to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, urging them to await further instructions.

This marks the second suspension of the exercise. The first occurred on December 18, 2025, following alleged procedural irregularities identified during the process. The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, had then explained that the suspension was necessary to prevent potential legal disputes.

The controversy intensified after the Fusengbuwa family identified 95 contestants—94 princes and one princess—as eligible candidates for the vacant stool. The nomination meeting, held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, was presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Owoyemi, his deputy Adedokun Ajidagba, and Prof. Fassy Yusuf. Local government officials, including the Secretary to Ijebu Ode Local Government, Abiodun Oke, were present as observers.

Speaking to journalists, Otunba Owoyemi praised members of the ruling house for conducting themselves peacefully, adding that the family was working to ensure that the next Awujale would “take Ijebu land to greater heights.”

The selection process also drew attention from Fuji musician Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM1, who had sought to contest for the stool. The Fusengbuwa family, however, ruled him out, stating that he was not a member of the ruling house. KWAM1 later approached the state high court in Ijebu Ode seeking to halt the nomination process, but his application was dismissed.

In letters to Governor Dapo Abiodun, KWAM1, through his lawyer Dr. Whab Shittu, SAN, raised objections to the use of a delegate system for the nomination exercise, arguing that it excluded some members of the ruling house and violated the Obas and Chiefs Law, 2021. He warned that proceeding under the current system could lead to protracted litigation.

The Ogun State Government’s latest suspension comes amid heightened security around the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode, with the deployment of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The government has assured that the selection process will resume only when all concerns are adequately addressed to safeguard peace, order, and fairness.