NEWS
Ogun State Govt Nullifies Awujale Selection Process, Orders Fresh Exercise to Ensure Compliance With Chieftaincy Laws
The Ogun State Government has nullified the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, citing procedural lapses capable of triggering avoidable legal disputes.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, during a telephone interview with our correspondent.
The revered Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July. The monarch passed away at the age of 91 after an unprecedented 65-year reign, making him one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers.
Following the monarch’s demise, the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, through a letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce the next Awujale. The ruling house was given a 14-day ultimatum to conclude the selection process and submit the names of eligible candidates.
Acting on the directive, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House commenced the process, which reportedly attracted no fewer than 60 princes. Monday, December 15, was subsequently fixed for the screening of aspirants.
However, the process was abruptly suspended after the Ogun State Government summoned representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and members of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee to a meeting on Tuesday. It was gathered that the meeting was convened to ensure strict compliance with extant chieftaincy laws guiding the installation of traditional rulers in the state.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, which was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ganiyu Hamzat, Prof. Yusuf disclosed that the government directed the ruling house to restart the entire process.
According to him, the earlier exercise was cancelled due to identified procedural errors that could potentially open the floodgates to litigation over the eventual installation of a new Awujale.
Yusuf, however, stressed that the government’s intervention was neither unusual nor unwarranted, noting that all stakeholders were united by the shared objective of ensuring strict adherence to the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, as well as the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool.
“The meeting with the government was to ensure that everything falls in place. The government wants us to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale,” Yusuf said.
“So, very soon, we are going to receive another letter from the local government and begin the process afresh. The earlier letter, which gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, has been withdrawn.
“The family will meet, review the situation, and take it from there. We have to follow the guidelines laid down by the government.
“The government initially issued a letter signalling the commencement of the process, but a procedural error was later discovered. To avoid unnecessary litigation, we have agreed to start all over again.
“After all, we have not submitted any list of candidates to the kingmakers, so there is really nothing to worry about.”
A top state government official who participated in the meeting also confirmed the suspension of the selection process but spoke on condition of anonymity, citing lack of authorisation to address the media.
The official dismissed allegations of government interference, explaining that the intervention was solely to correct flaws in how the process was initiated at the local government level.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the meeting was not about government interference, as some people want to believe. It was about ensuring that the right thing is done in accordance with the law,” the source said.
“The local government jumped the gun in the way it initiated the selection process. It did not follow the guidelines provided under the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration for the Awujale stool.
“We have advised all parties on the proper procedure to follow so that everyone is on the same page and unnecessary litigation is avoided. Some people are already watching closely and are eager to exploit any procedural error to go to court.
“To properly commence the process, the ruling house must first formally notify the local government of its readiness. The local government will then write to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which will authorise the commencement of the selection process.
“The meeting was chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Given that the Awujale’s installation has remained unchanged for the past 65 years, it is understandable that some officials may not be fully familiar with the procedure. This is unlike other communities where such installations have occurred several times within the same period.”
The development has effectively reset the process for selecting the next Awujale, with stakeholders now expected to strictly follow the laid-down legal framework to ensure a smooth, transparent, and litigation-free installation of the new paramount ruler of Ijebuland.