Ogun govt halts Awujale nomination to prevent legal chaos

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Ogun State Government has stepped in to pause the nomination process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland, delaying a key meeting by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House amid concerns over procedural flaws that could spark lawsuits.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, entitled to present the next candidate following the July 2025 death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at age 91, had planned its nomination meeting for Monday, December 15, at Bisrod Hall in Ijebu Ode’s GRA.

The event was announced in a December 11 letter signed by family spokesman Abiodun Ogidan, limiting attendance to accredited members.

However, the ruling house issued a postponement notice titled “To all members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Ijebu Ode,” stating, “Due to circumstances beyond the family’s control, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House Awujale nomination meeting scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2025, has been postponed. The new date will be announced shortly. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, confirmed the government’s role during a Sunday statement.

“The postponement followed an intervention by the state government,” he said, explaining that officials summoned the house to a Tuesday meeting “to ensure that all procedures align with existing laws, in order to avoid actions that could trigger litigation.”

Vice Chairman Fassy Yusuf echoed this, noting invitations extended to both the ruling house and kingmakers.

“Not fewer than 60 princes are aspiring to succeed the late Awujale, underscoring the need for a transparent and legally sound selection process,” Yusuf added.