The Ogun State government on Wednesday has again halted the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebu land.
This is just as our correspondent, who is currently at Ijebu Ode, also observed deployment of heavy security, including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, at the Awujale palace.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 after the demise of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
The government, in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat and which had since gone viral, said that the selection process was halted due to the flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The statement partly reads “I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of ljebuland.
“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land generally and in Ogun State particularly, where it is one of the paramount stools.
“Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba SikiruAdetona, who reigned for sixty-five (65) years, significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool.
“These realities place a lot of focus, attention and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.
“In this regard, the State Government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process.
“In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.
“In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empower it to ‘set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so.
“Thus, given the reports at its disposal, the Government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.
“Therefore, the State Government hereby directs that you convey this decision tothe Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
