Traditionalists and hundreds of members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebuland on Friday staged a peaceful protest over an alleged attempt by powerful interests to impose the next Awujale on the kingmakers, the Fusengbuwa family, and the wider Ijebu nation.
The protesters converged at the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Archway before marching to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Headquarters in Itooro. They carried placards condemning what they described as undue interference in the traditional succession process.
The Awujale stool became vacant on July 13, 2025, following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away at the age of 91 after a 65-year reign. By tradition, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is next in line to produce the new Awujale.
However, reports indicate that the Ogun State Government, in a circular dated January 20, 2026, directed the kingmakers to suspend further steps in the selection process, despite the submission of 95 nominees earlier presented by leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, including Otunba Lateef Owoyemi (Olori Ebi), Prince Adedokun Ajidagba (Deputy Olori Ebi), and Professor Fassy Yusuf (Vice Chairman).
The directive, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, has fueled allegations that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is attempting to influence the succession process. The state government has, however, denied any intention to impose a candidate.
Unconvinced by the explanation for halting the process, members of the Fusengbuwa royal family and supporting traditionalists marched through Odo-Egbo, Itale, and Palace Road, before ending the protest at the Itooro Local Government Headquarters, where they were received by the council chairman, Dare Alebiosu.
Placards carried by the protesters bore inscriptions such as, “Fusengbuwa says no to imposition; let Ifa oracle determine the next Awujale,” and “Let the kingmakers do their job; we reject imposition.”
Leading the protest, Mrs. Adejugba Obileye said the group decided to storm the local government secretariat to formally register their displeasure over what they alleged was a plan by the state government to hijack the process and impose a candidate on the kingmakers.
Speaking on behalf of the Fusengbuwa family, Obileye called for the reopening of the palace and urged the government to refrain from any form of interference. She noted that the selection process had been suspended for the second time within a month, despite the kingmakers acting in accordance with tradition and existing laws.
“The Awujale stool is sacred and should not be sacrificed on the altar of politics or pecuniary interests,” Obileye said. “We reject any plan of imposition. We do not want a political Awujale. The Ijebu kingdom has a rich cultural heritage that must not be bastardised.”
She added that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has its own Ifa oracle, stressing that the government should allow the oracle and the kingmakers to determine the rightful candidate without imposing “any foreigner” on the family.
Also speaking, another member of the ruling house, Olubunmi Adesanya, appealed to the government to allow tradition to prevail. “We plead with the government not to impose the next Awujale on us. Let the kingmakers and the Ifa oracle do their job. We reject imposition in all its forms,” he said.
On behalf of the traditionalists, High Chief Adekunle Talabi, the Obajelu, Olumoko of Imoko and a priest of the Agemo masquerade, also urged the government to distance itself from the alleged plan.
“There should be nothing like imposition; it is unacceptable,” Talabi said. “The government should allow the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the kingmakers to select the next Awujale as laid down from time immemorial.”
Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, dismissed claims of any plan by the government to impose a candidate. He assured the protesters that the palace had been reopened and that the government was not interested in interfering in the selection process.
“The choice of the next Awujale is the responsibility of the kingmakers,” Alebiosu said. “The government will not hinder them from carrying out their duties. I will, however, convey your concerns to the appropriate authorities in Abeokuta.”
He also urged the protesters to remain peaceful and return home, warning against allowing the protest to be hijacked by hoodlums, while assuring them that their grievances would be communicated to the state government.