- Safiu Kehinde
The Ogun State Government has debunked its alleged approval of the selection of Prince Ademorin Kuye as the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Kuye was alleged to have been selected by the Ifa oracle with the state government purportedly consenting to the selection of the new Ijebuland monarch amid controversies and litigation surrounding the Awujale stool.
Reacting to the claim in a statement issued on Saturday by its Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the Ogun government denied being involved in the selection process.
It maintained that the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland is guided strictly by the applicable laws, established procedures, and recognised traditional customs.
While reiterating that the process of filling the vacant stool is currently suspended, the state government urged members of the public to rely only on official communications from the Government and to refrain from spreading unverified information.
The statement read; “The attention of Ogun State Government has been drawn to rumours circulating in certain quarters alleging that the Ifa oracle has chosen Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye as the next Awujale of Ijebuland and that the State Government has endorsed or supported this purported outcome.
“The Government wishes to categorically state that it is not involved in, nor has it endorsed, any such claim.
“The process for the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland is guided strictly by the applicable laws, established procedures, and recognised traditional customs.
“Any suggestion that the Government has adopted or approved a candidate through an oracle or any informal process is false, misleading, and should be disregarded by the public.
“Furthermore, the Ogun State Government wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public that the process for filling the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland has presently been halted.
“This decision was taken in view of the various complaints and petitions received concerning the selection procedure.
“The temporary suspension is to allow for due review and to ensure that the process remains transparent, lawful, and acceptable to all concerned parties.
“The Government remains committed to maintaining peace, order, and respect for due process and traditional institutions across the State.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to rely only on official communications from the Government and to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing tension or misunderstanding.”