Leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode have restated their determination to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that members of the family remain united in pursuing their rightful turn to the revered throne.
The ruling house also raised concerns over alleged attempts to prevent it from exercising what it described as its lawful right in the succession process.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died at the age of 91 after reigning for 65 years.
The leaders spoke during the weekend after an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses of the ruling house at Ile Nla in the ancient town of Ijebu-Ode.
The gathering was convened to discuss the stalled process of selecting a successor to the late Oba Adetona. It was co-chaired by the Chairman and Head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi; the Deputy Chairman, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Fassy Yusuf.
During the meeting, members from different branches of the ruling house were updated on developments surrounding the succession process, including legal steps being taken to address the delay.
The leadership also explained the reasons behind the lawsuit filed against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, nine Awujale kingmakers and other defendants, seeking a court order to compel the completion of the selection process.
At the end of the meeting, members endorsed earlier decisions made by the leadership and reaffirmed their confidence in its ability to lead the family through the succession process.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the gathering was organised to brief members on the stalled selection process and the actions being taken to safeguard the interests of the ruling house.
“The meeting was called to update and brief members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house about the stalled selection process for the next Awujale and the steps we have taken to address the issue. The large attendance is a testament to our unity. The house is united. Princes and princesses came from Lagos and other places. They supported our decisions and have confidence in our leadership,” Owoyemi said.
Owoyemi further alleged that some individuals were making efforts to frustrate the ruling house and undermine its eligibility to produce the next Awujale.
“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they can claim our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale,” he said.
The leadership maintained that its court action was aimed at ensuring that the established selection process was completed and that the Fusengbuwa family was allowed to take its legitimate turn in the succession.
Members were urged to remain calm, focused and united as the legal proceedings continue.
The suit, filed at the High Court in Ijebu-Ode, listed Governor Abiodun alongside several prominent defendants, including the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN; the Ogun State Executive Council; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; and members of the Awujale Afobaje (Kingmakers) Council, including Olorogun Sonny Kuku and Chief Rasheed Adesanya.
The Awujale is the official title of the traditional monarch and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, a historic and influential Yoruba kingdom in southwestern Nigeria.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, popularly known as Ogbagba II, ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, at the age of 25. He ruled for 65 years until his death on July 13, 2025, aged 91, and was widely credited with modernising and promoting the Ojude Oba Festival globally.
Under the 1957 Customary Law Declaration, the Awujale throne rotates sequentially among four recognised ruling houses: Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya, the ruling house of the late monarch, Fusengbuwa, which is next in line, and Fidipote.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had nominated candidates for the selection of the next Awujale, but the Ogun State Government suspended the process following procedural disputes and petitions.
In response, the Fusengbuwa leadership, led by Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, approached the Ogun State High Court, seeking an order compelling the state government and the relevant kingmakers to conclude the selection process.