KEY POINTS
- Ogun govt cancels Awujale selection over procedural flaws.
- State cites risks of litigation under chieftaincy laws.
- Ruling house to restart process after fresh approval.
The Ogun State Government has cancelled the ongoing process to select a new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, halting an exercise that had already drawn dozens of royal aspirants.
The decision resets efforts to fill the vacant Awujale stool following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July. The monarch died at 91 after reigning for 65 years, one of the longest reigns in Nigeria’s history.
Confirmation of the cancellation came from Prof. Fassy Yusuf, vice chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, during a telephone interview on Wednesday.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had been directed to begin the succession process in a letter dated December 2, 2025. The letter, signed by Oke Adebanjo, secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, instructed the family to produce the next Awujale.
The government gave the ruling house 14 days to conclude the process and submit names of eligible candidates.
Acting on that directive, the ruling house began consultations and opened the process to interested princes. No fewer than 60 aspirants reportedly indicated interest, with screening fixed for Monday, December 15.
The exercise was suspended after the state government summoned representatives of the ruling house and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee to a meeting on Tuesday to review compliance with existing chieftaincy laws. It was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat.
Yusuf said the government directed the ruling house to restart the entire selection process. He said officials identified procedural lapses that could expose the installation process to legal challenges.
According to him, the intervention was aimed at preventing disputes that could lead to prolonged litigation.
Ogun govt cancels Awujale selection again
According to Punch, Yusuf said the government’s action followed concerns over compliance 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 strict adherence to the law regarding the installation.” He said the earlier letter granting 14 days had been withdrawn and a fresh directive would be issued.
“The family will meet, review the situation, and take it from there,” he said. Yusuf added that no list of candidates had been submitted to the kingmakers, easing concerns over disruption.
A senior state official, who attended the meeting and requested anonymity, also confirmed the suspension. The official rejected claims of interference, saying the issue stemmed from how the process was initiated.
“The local government jumped the gun,” the official said. “It did not follow the required procedure.” The official said the ruling house must formally notify the local government before the ministry authorises the process.
