The Fusengbuwa ruling house in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State has appealed to Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun to lift the suspension on the selection process of the new Awujale and allow the kingmakers crown the next Oba .
At a briefing held on Sunday at Idowa, Ijebu-Ode, which had in attendance the chairman, deputy chairman, vice chairman and the secretary of the Fusengbuwa family as well as the Council of Elders of the family, the chairman of the family, Otunba Abdul-Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi speaking on behalf of the family, said the suspension of the selection process on January 20, 2026 by governor Dapo Abiodun has denied the people of Ijebu-Ode the presence of a new king to steer the affairs of the town.
Awoyemi added that before the suspension, the family had, on January 19 submitted the names of nominated candidates to the kingmakers and were awaiting the mandatory seven days for them to select the next Awujale.
However, he said they were shocked when the governor directed the police to forcefully enter and lock off the Awujale Palace, prevented the Kingmakers and all others persons from entering the palace and halted the selection process on ‘allegations of bribery and financial inducement.’
He said members of the executives of the ruling house and council of elders were invited by the police at Eleweeran Police Station and questioned on the allegations but till date , none of them have been found guilty of the allegations by the police.
“For more than three months now, since 21st of January, 2026, the Ogun State governor and his very close officials, have most unfairly and unprecedentedly, halted the entire Awujale selection process, in our honest and well considered
opinion over speculative, unproven or unprovable allegations and frivolous petitions from persons who do not wish the Fusengbuwa Ruling House well and would like to sabotage the entire Awujale selection process.
At no point, we were glad to learn, was any incriminating evidence found against any of us. Rather, the Kingmakers and our Family leaders appear to have become victims of unfair suspicion, witch-hunting, intimidation, character assassination, and a most unfortunate pull him down syndrome.
We believe very strongly, that the Awujale Kingmakers can not be persuaded to do any thing they believe is wrong or ungodly or will not be accepted and applauded by the people of Ijebu Ode in regard to their selecting an Awujale, by any amount of pressure, money, other gifts or inducements,” the chairman said.
He added: “ We therefore hereby make a passionate appeal to His Excellency, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his key officials and advisers, to kindly lift the suspension order placed on this 60th Awujale Selection process since over three months ago, and please direct the Afobaje Kingmakers to immediately resume, meticulously carry out, and successfully conclude their age long and statutory responsibility of wisely and objectively selecting the next Awujale for Ijebu-Ode and Ijebuland without any further delay or intervention.”
Awoyemi commended Governor Abiodun for his efforts at ensuring transparency in the selection process and expressed optimism that the govenor will now allow the process to proceed to its rightful conclusion.
