AWUJALE STOOL: KWAM 1’S FIDIPOTE RULING HOUSE CLAIMS RIGHT TO PRESENT CANDIDATES AFTER FUSENGBUWA MISSES DEADLINE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Fidipote Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has formally notified the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area and the Ogun State Government of its intention to present candidates for the vacant Awujale stool, citing the failure of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to act within the statutory timeframe prescribed by law.
This position was conveyed in a two-page letter addressed to the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area and dated Wednesday, December 18, 2025. The letter, co-signed by the Head of the Fidipote Ruling House, Oba Tajudeen Omotayo, and its Secretary, Omooba Tunde Aderibigbe, was made available.
According to the family, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House first entitled to present candidates for the Awujale stool failed to submit any nomination within the 14-day period mandated by the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.
The letter referenced an official notification dated December 2, 2025, with Reference No. 10LG584/0/29, in which the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was invited to submit candidates in line with Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the law. The Fidipote family stated that Section 16(1)(b) requires eligible ruling houses to submit candidate names within 14 days of such notification, a deadline that reportedly elapsed on December 16, 2025, without any submission from Fusengbuwa.
By virtue of Section 16(1)(c) of the law, the Fidipote Ruling House argued that it has now become legally entitled to present candidates, being the next ruling house in the rotational order under the 1959 Declaration.
“The said statutory period of fourteen days lapsed on December 16, 2025, without the submission of any candidate by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, to the best of our knowledge,” the letter stated.
The Fidipote Ruling House is notable for its association with veteran Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), who was conferred with the title Olori Omo-Oba Ijebuland by the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in 2023. KWAM 1 had earlier declared interest in the vacant stool but has not publicly commented following developments surrounding his eligibility.
In the same letter, the Fidipote family formally invited the Secretary of the Local Government, or his authorised representative, to attend its general meeting as an observer, in accordance with Section 16(1)(d) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law.
The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Fidipote Royal Hall, 12 Fusigboye Street, Idewon Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, by 10:00 a.m. The agenda includes the expression of interest by aspirants, screening in line with customary law, and voting to select candidates to be forwarded to the kingmakers.
The family assured the government that the process would be conducted peacefully, transparently, and in strict compliance with the law and established customary practices.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and other relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had earlier placed its nomination meeting on hold. Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, said the postponement followed state government intervention aimed at preventing procedural errors that could lead to litigation.
Owoyemi dismissed claims that the delay was linked to KWAM 1’s candidature, noting that the ruling house was invited by the state government to review its processes to ensure full compliance with extant laws.
It is estimated that over 60 aspirants are currently jostling for the revered stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona.
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