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The race to fill the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool has officially begun, with the Fusengbuwa ruling house presenting a total of 95 contenders for consideration. The aspirants comprise 94 princes and one princess from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, all seeking to succeed the late monarch.
The nomination exercise was conducted on Monday at Bisrod Hall, located in the GRA area of Ijebu Ode. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, alongside his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, and the Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf. Representatives of the Ijebu Ode Local Government were also present, including the council’s Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Oke, who monitored the proceedings.
Several prominent personalities featured among the nominees. They include Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; renowned ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital, Dr. Kunle Hassan; and construction magnate, Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction. The only female aspirant is legal practitioner, Mrs. Oluwakemi Onanuga.
The revered Awujale throne became vacant in July 2025 following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died at the age of 91 after an unprecedented 65-year reign that shaped modern Ijebu land and earned him national respect.
During the nomination process, each aspirant was formally presented by two family members—one acting as proposer and the other as seconder. Their names were subsequently documented and ratified by the ruling house in line with tradition.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Otunba Owoyemi expressed gratitude for the peaceful manner in which the process was conducted. “We thank God that what we feared has come and gone peacefully,” he said. “We have successfully and harmoniously nominated 95 candidates. It is now left for the kingmakers to conscientiously select one of them as the next Awujale.”
Owoyemi noted that extensive consultations had been carried out within the ruling house, including traditional divination, to ensure that the eventual selection would favour peace, unity, and development in Ijebu land. He added that the ruling house was optimistic that the kingmakers would choose a candidate divinely destined for the throne. According to him, the installation of the new Awujale is expected to take place within a month.
He further disclosed that all aspirants signed formal undertakings agreeing to accept the outcome of the selection exercise without resorting to legal action. “We trust that the government will act in line with tradition and due process in confirming the next Awujale,” Owoyemi added.
The succession process has continued to draw national attention, particularly following the interest expressed by Fuji music star Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. However, the Fusengbuwa ruling house has maintained that Ayinde is not a recognized member of the family and is therefore not eligible to participate in the process.
Ayinde had earlier approached a High Court in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to halt the nomination exercise. The court, however, dismissed the application, describing it as lacking merit. His legal team later withdrew the suit, citing plans to reassess their legal options.
In a letter dated January 8, 2026, and addressed to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ayinde’s lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), raised objections to aspects of the nomination procedure. The letter alleged that certain directives issued by the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Ademuyiwa, regarding screening and nomination arrangements were inconsistent with the Chieftaincy Declaration, the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State (2021), and official communication from the Ijebu Ode Local Government. The letter warned that excluding some family members could spark unrest.
Reacting to the development, Professor Fassy Yusuf confirmed that the ruling house had received the correspondence but dismissed its claims. He described the letter as “misguided” and stated that it would not affect the integrity or continuity of the selection process.
With the nomination phase concluded, attention now shifts to the kingmakers, who are expected to begin deliberations that will eventually produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
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