Leaders of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode have reaffirmed their commitment toward producing the next Awujale of Ijebuland, stating that the family is united in achieving this goal.
The ruling house warned against alleged attempts to frustrate it from exercising what it described as its lawful turn in succession to the exalted throne.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, after a 65-year reign.
The leaders spoke over the weekend following an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses of the ruling house held at Ile Nla in the ancient town of Ijebu-Ode.
The meeting was convened to deliberate on the stalled selection process for a successor to the late Oba Adetona. It was co-chaired by Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi, Chairman/Head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, Deputy Chairman; and Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman.
The leadership briefed members drawn from various branches of the ruling house on developments surrounding the succession process and the legal steps being taken to address the delay.
Members were briefed on the rationale behind the lawsuit filed against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, nine Awujale kingmakers, and other defendants, seeking orders to compel the conclusion of the selection process.
At the conclusion of the meeting, members endorsed decisions previously taken by the ruling house leadership and expressed renewed confidence in its ability to guide the family through the succession process.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the gathering was primarily aimed at updating members on the stalled process and explaining the measures being taken to protect the ruling house’s interests.
“The meeting was called to update and brief members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house about the stalled selection process for the next Awujale and the steps we have taken to address the issue. The large attendance is a testament to our unity. The house is united. Princes and princesses came from Lagos and other places. They supported our decisions and have confidence in our leadership,” Owoyemi said.
Owoyemi alleged that certain individuals were working to frustrate the ruling house’s efforts, warning that such actions were intended to undermine the family’s eligibility.
“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they can claim our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale,” he said.
The leadership maintained that the court action aims to ensure the established selection process is completed, granting the Fusengbuwa family its legitimate turn in the succession line.
Leaders urged members to remain calm, focused, and united while legal proceedings continue.
The suit, filed at the High Court in Ijebu-Ode, names several high-profile defendants alongside Governor Abiodun, including Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN; the Ogun State Executive Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ganiyu Hamzat; Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Dare Alebiosu; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; and members of the Awujale Afobaje (Kingmakers) Council, including Olorogun Sonny Kuku and Chief Rasheed Adesanya.
The “Awujale” is the official royal title of the traditional monarch and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, an influential historic Yoruba kingdom in southwestern Nigeria.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (Ogbagba II) ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, at age 25. He ruled for 65 years until his passing on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91. He is widely remembered for modernising and popularising the global Ojude Oba Festival.
Under the 1957 Customary Law Declaration, the throne rotates sequentially among four recognised houses: Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya (the late monarch’s house), Fusengbuwa (next in line), and Fidipote.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House nominated candidates to select a successor, but the Ogun State Government halted the process following procedural disputes and petitions.
In response, Fusengbuwa leadership, headed by Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, filed a suit at the Ogun State High Court against Governor Abiodun and local kingmakers to compel the completion of the selection process.
