The Ogun State Government has nullified the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday.
The Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July. The revered monarch died at the age of 91 after a historic 65-year reign.
In a letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Oke Adebanjo, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was directed to produce the next Awujale.
The ruling house was given 14 days to conclude the selection process and forward the names of eligible candidates.
Acting on the directive, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House commenced the process, which reportedly attracted no fewer than 60 princes, and fixed Monday, December 15, for the screening of aspirants.
However, the exercise was suspended after the state government summoned representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee to a meeting on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the meeting was convened to ensure compliance with extant chieftaincy laws governing 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 confirmed that the government directed the ruling house to restart the entire process.
He explained that the earlier exercise was cancelled due to procedural errors capable of triggering litigation over the installation of the next Awujale.
Yusuf, however, described the government’s intervention as neither unusual nor unwarranted, noting that all parties were united by the need to strictly comply with the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool.
“The meeting with the government was to ensure that everything falls in place,” Yusuf said. “The government wants us to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale.
“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 The earlier letter, which gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, has been withdrawn.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, but spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak to the press, also confirmed to The PUNCH the suspension of the selection process.
The official dismissed claims of government interference, explaining that the intervention was solely to correct errors in the way the process was initiated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the meeting was not about government interference, as some people want to believe,” the source said. “It was about ensuring that the right thing is done in accordance with the law.
“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.”
The official further explained that the process must formally begin with the ruling house notifying the local government of its readiness.
“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 source said.