FUSENGBUWA RULING HOUSE REAFFIRMS CLAIM TO NEXT AWUJALE STOOL, SAYS ‘WE ARE UNITED’
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode have reaffirmed the family’s determination to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that it remains united in pursuing what it described as its legitimate turn to the throne.
The ruling house also warned against alleged attempts by unnamed individuals to frustrate the succession process and prevent it from exercising its right under the established rotation arrangement.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (Ogbagba II), who died at the age of 91 after 65 years on the throne.
The ruling house made its position known at an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses held over the weekend at Ile Nla in Ijebu-Ode to deliberate on the stalled process for selecting a successor to the late monarch.
The meeting was co-chaired by Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi, Chairman and Head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, Deputy Chairman; and Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman.
During the meeting, members drawn from various branches of the ruling house were briefed on developments surrounding the succession process, including the legal steps being taken by the family to address the delay.
The leadership also explained the rationale behind a suit filed against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, members of the Awujale kingmakers and other defendants, seeking orders to compel the conclusion of the selection process.
At the end of the meeting, members endorsed decisions previously taken by the ruling house leadership and expressed confidence in its ability to guide the family through the succession process.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the gathering was convened primarily to update members on the stalled selection process and the measures being taken to protect the interests of the ruling house.
“The meeting was called to update and brief members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house about the stalled selection process for the next Awujale and the steps we have taken to address the issue. The large attendance is a testament to our unity. The house is united. Princes and princesses came from Lagos and other places. They supported our decisions and have confidence in our leadership,” Owoyemi said.
He alleged that some individuals were working to frustrate the ruling house’s efforts and undermine its eligibility to produce the next monarch.
“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they can claim our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale,” he said.
The ruling house maintained that its court action was aimed at ensuring that the established selection process is concluded and that Fusengbuwa is allowed to exercise its legitimate turn in the succession arrangement.
The suit, filed at the High Court in Ijebu-Ode, names Governor Abiodun and several other defendants, including the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN; the Ogun State Executive Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; and members of the Awujale Afobaje (Kingmakers) Council, including Olorogun Sonny Kuku and Chief Rasheed Adesanya.
The Fusengbuwa leadership urged members of the ruling house to remain calm, focused and united as the legal proceedings continue.
The Awujale is the traditional monarch and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, one of the historic Yoruba kingdoms in southwestern Nigeria.
Oba Adetona ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, at the age of 25 and reigned until his death on July 13, 2025. He was widely associated with the growth and international prominence of the annual Ojude Oba Festival.
Under the 1957 Customary Law Declaration, the Awujale throne rotates sequentially among four recognised ruling houses — Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa and Fidipote.
The late Oba Adetona belonged to the Anikinaiya Ruling House, placing Fusengbuwa next in the stated rotation.
Fusengbuwa had nominated candidates as part of the process to select a successor, but the Ogun State Government subsequently halted the process following procedural disputes and petitions.
The development prompted the Fusengbuwa leadership, headed by Owoyemi, to approach the Ogun State High Court, seeking orders compelling the governor and relevant kingmakers to complete the succession process.
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