A Complex Succession Crisis in Ijebuland
The selection of a new Awujale for Ijebuland has become more than a traditional ceremony; it has turned into a multifaceted contest involving custom, law, family interests, institutional authority, and allegations of political interference. After the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July 2025, the kingdom has yet to name a successor. Instead, the process has been repeatedly suspended, challenged, and reopened, with fresh disputes emerging within the ruling house.
At the center of the latest conflict is the purported removal of three senior officials of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House: Chairman Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, Vice-Chairman Prof. Fassy Yusuf, and Deputy Chairman Prince Oladokun Ajidagba. They were accused of financial inducement, document manipulation, and breach of due process. However, the trio has rejected these allegations and called those behind the action “usurpers and impostors.” This dispute raises a critical question: Can Ijebuland choose a new Awujale without further damaging public confidence in the institution?
A Throne of Immense History
Oba Adetona, who ruled for an extraordinary 65 years, was known for combining tradition with modernity and for his influence on national issues. His death created a profound institutional transition. According to the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, succession rotates among the recognized ruling houses: Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, Fidipote, and Gbelegbuwa. Following the late monarch’s death, the turn fell to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
By December 2025, the Ijebu-Ode Local Government had invited the ruling house to begin the nomination process. Over 95 aspirants emerged, reflecting the prestige of the throne but also exposing the difficulty of managing such a complex contest.
Politics of Succession
The succession process became increasingly contentious amid allegations that political interests were attempting to influence the outcome. One of the most explosive claims involved a reported late-night meeting between Governor Dapo Abiodun and kingmakers, where the governor was said to have supported Hon. Ademorin Kuye as his preferred candidate. The government denied any involvement, insisting it adhered to due process.
This alleged interference sparked strong reactions from the kingmakers, who resisted what they saw as political interference. One statement captured the intensity of the disagreement: “No Kuye, no Awujale.” The kingmakers reportedly refused to accept an imposed monarch, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the independence of the selection process.
KWAM 1’s Dramatic Intervention
The crisis took another turn with the entry of popular Fuji musician Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), who claimed eligibility through the Jadiara branch of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. His claim was disputed by leaders of the Fusengbuwa family and the Jadiara Royal House, who denied his paternal lineage. Through his lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, Ayinde challenged aspects of the nomination process, alleging exclusion and the use of a “delegate system” that disenfranchised some members. He also claimed security operatives prevented him from attending a nomination meeting.
The dispute eventually reached the Ogun State High Court, where Ayinde’s application was dismissed. Despite this, the controversy did not end, leading to further tensions.
Government Suspension and New Battles
With petitions, protests, and competing allegations multiplying, the Ogun State government intervened. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, warned against misinformation and cautioned individuals against parading themselves as ‘Awujale-elect.’ On January 20, 2026, the government suspended the selection process, citing petitions, security reports, and heightened tension. The decision was presented as a measure to preserve peace and protect the dignity of the institution.
The state later nullified the exercise, citing procedural lapses by the local government and ordered the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to restart the process. This decision generated another dispute, with the Fidipote Ruling House arguing that Fusengbuwa had forfeited its turn by failing to meet statutory timelines. The government rejected the argument, maintaining that the process had not legally commenced.
New Battle Inside Fusengbuwa
The latest crisis has moved the succession battle into the heart of the Fusengbuwa family. A nine-member Fact-Finding Committee, chaired by Prince Olusegun Olusoga, was tasked with examining petitions concerning the conduct of the ruling house’s leadership and the nomination process. The committee found a “manifest breakdown of unity, communication, and cohesion” among the three officials recognized as Olori-Ebis. It also alleged irregularities in the compilation and submission of candidates.
The committee recommended that the three officials step aside, and at a general meeting of the ruling house on August 9, the recommendation was reportedly adopted. However, the affected officials have mounted a vigorous defense, rejecting the allegations and calling the group behind the action “a bunch of rebels.”
Grand Council Backs Trio
The dispute escalated when the Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House passed a vote of confidence in Owoyemi, Ajidagba, and Yusuf. The council rejected their removal and described the opposing group as a “kangaroo committee.” The group also urged the governor to lift the suspension and allow the kingmakers to conclude their traditional responsibility.
Kingmakers Draw Line
While the Fusengbuwa dispute rages, another disagreement emerged among the kingmakers. The Awujale Afobaje Council, led by Chief Sonny Kuku, rejected a letter reportedly sent to Governor Abiodun by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya. The Afobajes accused Adesanya of falsely presenting himself as chairman of the council and objected to his use of the title “Alaiyeluwa.”
Question of Public Trust
At this stage, the biggest casualty of the prolonged dispute may be public confidence. A traditional institution derives its authority not only from law or custom, but also from the acceptance of the people. The Awujale stool has survived for generations because successive monarchs have been regarded as custodians of a collective heritage. If the process of choosing the next occupant becomes synonymous with factional warfare, allegations of inducement, political pressure, and competing claims of authority, the institution itself risks being diminished.
Tradition Must Survive the Test of Modern Governance
The Awujale institution is ancient, but the society around it is not. Ijebuland today includes professionals, academics, business leaders, politicians, traditionalists, and a large diaspora. Its people increasingly expect institutions, traditional and governmental, to demonstrate transparency and accountability. That does not mean abandoning custom. On the contrary, clear adherence to established custom may be the best defense against manipulation.
Danger of Rushing the Throne
There will inevitably be pressure to end the interregnum. But speed should not become the overriding objective. A monarch whose selection is challenged from the outset could spend the early years of his reign defending his legitimacy rather than uniting the kingdom. By contrast, a painstaking process that addresses grievances, verifies documents, clarifies eligibility, and resolves internal disputes may take longer, but could produce a stronger outcome.
The next Awujale must inherit not only the palace, but also the confidence of Ijebuland. That confidence cannot be manufactured by government proclamation, family declaration, or media campaign. It must emerge from a process that the major stakeholders—the ruling houses, Afobajes, government, and the wider Ijebu public—regard as fair.
