The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has appealed to the Ogun State Government to lift the suspension placed on the selection process for the 60th Awujale of Ijebuland.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the family appealed on Sunday during a press briefing addressed by the Head of the ruling house, Chief Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, alongside other principal members of the family.
Owoyemi said the continued suspension of the process had created anxiety among Ijebu indigenes and other stakeholders, stressing that the selection of a new Awujale should be allowed to proceed without further delay.
According to him, the process had been on hold since January 2026 following directives from the Ogun State Government over allegations of bribery and inducement.
Ruling House Says It Followed Due Process
Owoyemi explained that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had carried out its traditional responsibility by submitting a list of nominees to the designated kingmakers in line with established customs.
He said the process was, however, interrupted before the kingmakers could conclude their assignment.
The family head maintained that investigations by security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, had not established any wrongdoing against members of the ruling house or the kingmakers.
He described the continued suspension as unfair, saying it had disrupted a long-standing traditional process and subjected respected family members and kingmakers to unnecessary scrutiny.
‘No Wrongdoing Established’
Owoyemi said the allegations that led to the suspension had not been proven, insisting that there was no justification for the process to remain stalled.
He said, “Investigations by the relevant security agencies have not established any wrongdoing against members of the ruling house or the kingmakers.”
He added that the family remained committed to transparency and respect for tradition but urged the government not to allow unproven allegations to delay the emergence of the next Awujale.
Family Expresses Confidence In Kingmakers
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House also expressed confidence in the integrity of the kingmakers responsible for the selection of the next monarch.
Owoyemi said the kingmakers were carefully chosen during the reign of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, to carry out the important duty of choosing his successor.
He noted that the late monarch had put structures in place to ensure a credible and peaceful succession process.
The ruling house, while acknowledging the Ogun State Government’s commitment to transparency, appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to permit the kingmakers to resume their duties and conclude the process.
Principal members of the family present at the briefing included the Deputy Chairman, Chief Adedokun Ajidagba, and the Vice Chairman, Chief Fassy Yusuf.
They said the emergence of a new Awujale would restore stability and strengthen unity across Ijebuland.
