The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has appealed to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to lift the suspension on the selection of the 60th Awujale by allowing the kingmakers to complete the process of picking the next king.
The Head of the ruling house and former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, made this appeal during a news briefing in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, urging the government to expedite actions on the matter and preserve the sanctity of the town’s rich culture.
Reading a statement he co-signed with Deputy and Vice Chairman of the family, Chief Adedokun Ajidagba and Otunba (Prof) Fassy Yusuf, respectively, Otunba Owoyemi said the prolonged halt in the selection process since January 2026 has generated anxiety among indigenes, noting that the delay followed directives by the state government over allegations of bribery and inducement.
He explained that the ruling house had fulfilled its traditional responsibility by submitting a list of nominees to the designated kingmakers in line with laid-down customs before the process was interrupted.
According to him, investigations by security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, have not established any wrongdoing against any member of the ruling house or the kingmakers.
Chief Owoyemi described the continued suspension as unjustified, adding that it has disrupted a time-honoured tradition and subjected stakeholders to unnecessary scrutiny.
He expressed confidence in the integrity of the kingmakers, who he said were carefully selected during the reign of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, to carry out the responsibility of choosing his successor.
The ruling house, while acknowledging the state government’s commitment to transparency, appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to resume their duties and conclude the process without further delay.
Principal family members present at the briefing included the Deputy Chairman of the family, Chief Adedokun Ajidagba, and the Vice Chairman, Chief Fassy Yusuf.
They expressed optimism that the emergence of a new Awujale would restore stability and promote unity, development, and progress across Ijebuland.
