KEY POINTS
- The ruling house dismissed the KWAM1 Awujale bid as baseless.
- Family heads say no evidence links him to their royal line.
- The ruling house declared his lineage form invalid.
The push by Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall to contest for the Awujale stool has met firm resistance from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. The family has issued a formal notice rejecting his claim to their lineage and dismissing the documents he submitted as part of the selection process. Their position marks the strongest challenge yet to the KWAM1 Awujale bid, which has stirred debate across Ijebuland since his late entry into the succession race.
Ruling house questions KWAM1 Awujale bid
In a letter dated December 11 and addressed to the musician, the ruling house said its review found no evidence that Ayinde has ancestral links to the Jadiara Royal House or the wider Fusengbuwa line. That branch is the one now recognised to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland following the July passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years. The statement, signed by Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, faulted the documents Ayinde filed and said the endorsement attached to his form raised more questions than answers.
The letter highlighted that his form was certified by Adetayo Abayomi Oduneye, described by the ruling house as a “purported family unit head” who is not recognised by the Jadiara line. The house also noted an inconsistency in the dates, pointing out that the form was endorsed on December 8, two days before Ayinde signed it. They said the timeline suggested the document had been presigned without proper verification.
Family blocks KWAM1 Awujale bid
“Our extensive investigation has not revealed any proof of your membership of the Jadiara Royal House or indeed that of Fusengbuwa Ruling House,” the statement said. It added that Oduneye lacked the authority to certify lineage claims and had “no locus standi” to issue endorsements on behalf of any royal branch. With that, the house declared the submitted form “null, void and of no consequence.”
According to Punch, the ruling house’s decision follows an earlier public statement in which several family heads dismissed Ayinde’s claim and said neither he nor his late father belonged to their genealogical lines. Ayinde had filed his documents after receiving a five-day extension beyond the December 5 deadline. His move drew attention because he is widely associated with the Fidipote Ruling House, where he holds the title of Olori Omooba of Ijebuland.
His form claimed descent from the Setejoye unit of the Jadiara family through his father, Adisa Adesanya Anifowoshe, and was countersigned by Oduneye. That claim has since been challenged by multiple branches, including leaders of the Jadiara and Bubiade units, who said they found no trace of such ancestry.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to review the controversy. Their ruling adds a new layer to a race that is now drawing intense public scrutiny as the succession process advances.
