The Ogun State Government has annulled the ongoing selection process for the vacant Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland stool, instructing the Fusengbuwa ruling house to restart the exercise in full compliance with existing laws.
Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf,confirmed the development, explaining that the decision followed a government-convened meeting aimed at addressing procedural lapses in the process.
Speaking in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Prof. Yusuf said the directive was a necessary step to ensure proper adherence to the law.
The Awujale stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July at 91, after a 65-year reign.
On December 2, 2025, the Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Oke Adebanjo, issued a letter directing the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce the next Awujale.
The government initially allowed 14 days for the ruling house to complete the selection process and submit the names of eligible candidates.
Acting on this directive, the house began the process, reportedly attracting over 60 princes, and scheduled the screening of aspirants for Monday, December 15.
However, the process was put on hold after the state government summoned representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee to a meeting on Tuesday. The meeting aimed to ensure full compliance with extant chieftaincy laws.
Prof. Yusuf confirmed that the government had directed the ruling house to restart the selection process. He attributed the suspension to procedural errors in the initial process that could have led to legal disputes over the Awujale installation.
“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 The earlier letter, which gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, has been withdrawn.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.
“The government initially issued a letter signalling the commencement of the process, but a procedural error 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.”
A senior state government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the suspension, emphasizing that the move was to correct procedural errors rather than interfere with the process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the meeting was not about government interference, as some people want to believe,” the official 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.
“We have advised all parties on the proper procedure to follow so that everyone is on the same page and unnecessary litigation is avoided. Some people are already watching closely and are eager to exploit any procedural error to go to court.
“To properly commence the process, 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 process.
“The meeting was chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. 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.”
