- Safiu Kehinde
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has urged Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to lift the suspension on the selection of the 60th Awujale of Ijebuland for a swift conclusion of the process.
NPO Reported that Abiodun had late last year suspended the selection process amid litigation cases and bribery allegations over the throne.
The suspension had halted all preparations for the enthronement of another monarch on the Awujale throne left vacant after the demise of late Oba Sikiru Adetona.
With no communications from the Ogun State Government over the suspension, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House appealed to Abiodun to reconsider his decision.
The appeal was made on Sunday during a news briefing addressed by the Head of the family, Chief Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, alongside other principal members of the ruling house.
As contained in a statement made available to NPO Reports on Monday, Chief Owoyemi said the prolonged halt in the selection process since January 2026 has generated anxiety among indigenes.
He noted that the delay followed directives by the state government over allegations of bribery and inducement.
The chietain explained that the ruling house had fulfilled its traditional responsibility by submitting a list of nominees to the designated kingmakers in line with laid-down customs before the process was interrupted.
According to him, investigations by security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, have not established any wrongdoing against members of the ruling house or the kingmakers.
Chief Owoyemi described the continued suspension as unjustified, adding that it has disrupted a time-honoured tradition and subjected stakeholders to unnecessary scrutiny.
He expressed confidence in the integrity of the kingmakers, who he said were carefully selected during the reign of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, to carry out the responsibility of choosing his successor.
The ruling house, while acknowledging the state government’s commitment to transparency, appealed to Abiodun to allow the kingmakers resume their duties and conclude the process without further delay.
Principal family members present at the briefing included the Deputy Chairman of the family, Chief Adedokun Ajidagba, and the Vice Chairman, Chief Fassy Yusuf.
They expressed optimism that the emergence of a new Awujale would restore stability and promote unity, development, and progress across Ijebuland.