The Ogun State Government has nullified the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, directing that the entire exercise be restarted to ensure strict compliance with extant chieftaincy laws, Akahi News reports.
Awujale Stool Vacant After Oba Adetona’s Death
The revered Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July. The monarch passed away at the age of 91 after a remarkable 65-year reign, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Nigeria’s history.
Following the vacancy, a letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Oke Adebanjo, formally directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
According to information gathered by Akahi News, the ruling house was given 14 days to conclude its internal process and submit the names of eligible candidates for consideration.
Screening Process Suspended Midway
Acting on the directive, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House commenced the selection process, which reportedly attracted no fewer than 60 princes. Monday, December 15, was fixed for the screening of aspirants.
However, the exercise was abruptly suspended after the Ogun State Government summoned representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and members of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee to a crucial meeting on Tuesday.
Akahi News learnt that the meeting was convened to ensure full compliance with existing chieftaincy laws and to address concerns over how the process was initiated.
Government Orders Process Restart
Confirming the development in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Professor Fassy Yusuf, disclosed that the government directed the ruling house to restart the entire selection process.
According to Prof. Yusuf, the meeting was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ganiyu Hamzat, and focused on procedural lapses identified in the earlier exercise.
He explained that the initial process was cancelled due to errors that could potentially open the door to prolonged litigation over the eventual installation of the new Awujale.
‘Intervention Neither Unusual Nor Unwarranted’
Prof. Yusuf stressed that the state government’s intervention was neither unusual nor unwarranted, noting that all stakeholders were united by the need to strictly adhere to the provisions of the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool.
“The meeting with the government was to ensure that everything falls in place,” Yusuf said. “The government wants us to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale.
“So, very soon, we are going to receive another letter from the local government and begin the process afresh. The earlier letter, which gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, has been withdrawn.
“The family will meet, review the situation, and take it from there. We have to follow the guidelines laid down by the government.”
He further explained that the initial letter signalling the commencement of the process contained a procedural error which was later discovered.
“To avoid unnecessary litigation, we have agreed to start all over again. After all, we have not submitted any list of candidates to the kingmakers, so there is really nothing to worry about,” he added.
Government Dismisses Interference Claims
A top Ogun State government official who attended the meeting, but spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak to the press, also confirmed the suspension of the selection process.
The official dismissed claims of undue government interference, explaining that the intervention was solely to correct errors in how the process was initiated by the local government.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the meeting was not about government interference, as some people want to believe,” the source said. “It was about ensuring that the right thing is done in accordance with the law.
“The local government jumped the gun in the way it initiated the selection process. It did not follow the guidelines provided under the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration for the Awujale stool.”
Proper Procedure Explained
According to the official, all parties were advised on the correct procedure to follow to prevent avoidable legal battles.
“Some people are already watching closely and are eager to exploit any procedural error to go to court,” the source said.
To properly commence the process, the official explained, the ruling house must first formally notify the local government of its readiness. The local government will then write to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which will authorise the commencement of the selection exercise.
The source added that the meeting was chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and noted that the Awujale’s installation process has remained unchanged for the past 65 years.
“Given that the Awujale’s installation has remained unchanged for the past 65 years, it is understandable that some officials may not be fully familiar with the procedure. This is unlike other communities where such installations have occurred several times within the same period,” the official said.
What Next for Ijebuland?
Akahi News observes that the restart of the process, though likely to delay the emergence of a new Awujale, is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the institution and preventing prolonged legal disputes that could destabilise Ijebuland.
As the people of Ijebu await fresh directives from the authorities, stakeholders say strict adherence to the law remains the surest path to a smooth and widely accepted installation of the next Awujale.
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