ABIODUN CHARGES KINGMAKERS TO ENSURE NEUTRALITY IN SELECTION OF NEW AWUJALE

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday charged the 13-man administrative body led by Sunny Kuku and the kingmakers to maintain neutrality and ensure a smooth selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

The Kuku-led body was recently inaugurated by the state government to oversee the administration of Ijebu Ode pending the appointment of a new Awujale.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house is next in line to produce the monarch following the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July at the age of 91, after a 65-year reign.

Receiving the kingmakers at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun—represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat—said that “the selection and installation of Awujale required a detailed and well-coordinated process.”

He explained that the inauguration of the administrative body in August was necessary to sustain the traditional and administrative functions of the Awujale Palace.

Abiodun further stated “that the government is ready to support the administrative body because their success is crucial to the sustainability of late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona’s legacy.”

Urging unity, he told the kingmakers to remain unbiased in carrying out their duties.

The governor said, “It is the wish of the present administration that all hands be on deck to allow for a seamless process. I charge the council members to ensure neutrality when the selection process of the Awujale vacant stool commences.”

Rotimiolu Akinlesi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, added that the installation would follow due process, guided by the Obas and Chiefs Laws of the State.

In his response, Sunny Kuku, co-founder of EKO Hospital, Lagos, Head of the administrative body and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, commended the government for setting up the body, describing it as a strategic move to prevent a leadership vacuum in Ijebu Ode.

Kuku assured that the body would act with integrity, saying, “I know the Ijebu people, and the public at large are anticipating the emergence of the next Awujale.

“There is no doubt that our duty is a highly honourable, yet sensitive one.

“We would commit ourselves to doing what is right, as our reputations are on the line.”