By Desire Emmanuel
Barring any last-minute development, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, will meet on Monday, January 12, to begin the process for picking the new Awujale of Ijebuland.
According to sources, over 60 princes have shown their interests in getting the foremost throne that became vacant following the demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on July 13, 2025 at the age of 91.
Oba Adetona belonged to the Anikilaiya Ruling House and following his exit, the next ruling house to produce the new Awujale is the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
The ruling house has therefore fixed Monday, January 12, 2026, for the commencement of the selection process and this followed a letter of clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through the Executive Chairman, Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu.
It will be recalled that the Ogun State government had, about three weeks ago, advised the ruling house to halt the selection process after identifying a procedural error that could encourage a floodgate of litigations
In a letter dated January 6 and signed by the Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo, the local government said having received clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House should commence the process to fill the vacant stool of Awujale.
The statement partly reads, “Following clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, I am directed to convey the approval of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, for the commencement of the process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
“The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is hereby authorised to begin its internal selection process in accordance with the Customary Laws of Ijebuland and the Chieftaincy Regulations of Ogun State.
“To ensure proper administrative documentation, please you are to formally notify the local government of the date, time, and venue of the nomination exercise. which must be within 14 days from the receipt of this notification, while representatives of the local government will attend strictly as observers.
“This approval is issued to facilitate due process and remains without prejudice to the traditional rights and internal procedures of the Ruling House.”
Similarly, the ruling house has equally fixed Monday, January 12, for the nomination meeting for the vacant stool of Awujale at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists and signed by Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, the chairman of the ruling house.
