Awujale Stool Crisis Deepens As Fusengbuwa Ruling House Breaks Silence

The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has reaffirmed its unity and determination to produce the next Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, while warning against alleged attempts to frustrate its succession claim.

The position followed an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses of the ruling house held at Ile Nla (Agunsebi), Ijebu-Ode, on Sunday, where members reviewed developments surrounding the delayed selection of a successor to the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The meeting was jointly led by the Chairman and Head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba; and Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.

Members were briefed on the latest developments concerning the succession process, including legal steps being taken by the ruling house to address the delay and protect its interests.

At the conclusion of the meeting, members reportedly endorsed earlier decisions reached by the leadership and expressed confidence in its handling of the succession matter.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, said the meeting was convened primarily to update members and explain the measures being taken over the stalled process.

He said the turnout, including the presence of princes and princesses from Lagos and other locations, demonstrated the unity of the ruling house.

According to Owoyemi, the Fusengbuwa ruling house remains committed to producing the next Awujale, adding that those allegedly seeking to undermine the family’s position could create a situation in which the ruling house would be prevented from producing the monarch in the future.

The ruling house had previously approached the High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, seeking orders compelling the relevant authorities to complete the process for selecting the next Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91. The late monarch had spent about 65 years on the throne.

The Ogun State Government suspended the selection process in January 2026 following petitions reportedly received from security agencies and other stakeholders.

The process had earlier been halted in December 2025 over what the government described as procedural concerns, further delaying the emergence of a successor to the late monarch.