AWUJALE: RELIGIOUS LEADERS URGE ABIODUN TO LIFT BAN

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Religious leaders in Ijebuland, such as the Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ijebu, Rt.Rev.Dr Peter Rotimi Oludipe, the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo, and a traditional leader from Osugbo in Ijebu-Ode, Chief Bolanle Bakare, have asked Governor Dapo Abiodun to end the ban on choosing the next Awujale of Ijebuland, which started in January 2026.

During the event of the inauguration of 52 new borehole projects in Ijebu-Ode, donated by Abimbola Onabanjo and his wife, Abayomi, the three leaders said that the long wait to pick a new monarch after the late Oba Sikiru Adetona has worried the people.

The Anglican bishop, speaking to the press at the event, asked the governor to let the process of choosing the next king continue as planned. Oludipe, while speaking with journalists, said, “All of us are aware that the delay is caused by the state government. It’s the governor that has put a kind of a stop to the arrangement of those who are supposed to be in charge of selecting the Awujale.

“So we are looking forward to the governor lifting that ban very soon, so that the process can come to a conclusion that will be acceptable to all.”

The bishop described the kingmakers as people of integrity who should be allowed to perform their duties, adding that the absence of an Awujale was undesirable for the community.

“Our own appeal to the governor is that this ban should be lifted at the earliest possible time, and let’s allow the process to run to conclusion, by the grace of God,” he added.\

Oludipe noted that religious leaders were also concerned about the delay because they were part of the community.

He said, “We don’t want any delay. There should not really be a vacuum, particularly when you think of Ijebuland.

“Ijebu is so popular among several communities within the country, Nigeria. So many people are interested. So many people are asking us, ‘What is happening? Why is the Awujale not being installed?’”

The bishop, however, acknowledged that the government might have reasons for placing an embargo on the selection process, but urged it to allow the process to conclude in the interest of Ijebuland.

Oludipe commended Onabanjo and his wife for providing 52 boreholes across Ijebu-Ode, describing the intervention as a “beautiful and laudable project” and saying access to water was essential to the well-being of the people.

The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, on his part, said he remained hopeful that the next Awujale would eventually emerge, describing the matter as one that would be resolved at the appropriate time.

He recalled that he had previously appealed to Muslim clerics to join him in urging the governor to facilitate the installation of the monarch.

He said, “My advice to the government is that they should follow the voice of our people. Because, in the opinion of the people, they are behind the kingmakers. These are men of integrity, all of them.

“Awujale chose them because they are kingmakers and persons with pedigree. Whatever they say in Ijebuland, nobody can go against them.”

The Chief Imam urged Abiodun to ensure that the monarch emerged during his tenure.

“We are still imploring our governor. The time is still there. We want our governor to be the governor that will sign the certificate. We want the governor to be the governor that will present the staff of office. This is his chance,” he said.

The Chief Imam also expressed gratitude to the couple, saying the provision of 52 boreholes was a major intervention for the people.