Ogun State authorities have ordered a complete restart of the process to select a new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, effectively nullifying the exercise that had already begun.
The decision followed concerns that the initial steps taken to fill the vacant royal stool did not fully align with existing chieftaincy laws, a situation officials feared could trigger prolonged legal disputes.
The Awujale throne became vacant after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July. The revered monarch passed away at 91, bringing to a close a historic 65-year reign that profoundly shaped Ijebu traditional leadership and modern engagement with government.
Earlier this month, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was formally directed by the Ijebu Ode Local Government to produce a successor within 14 days.
Acting on the letter, the ruling house opened the process, drawing interest from dozens of princes and fixing a date for screening.
However, matters changed after representatives of the ruling house and members of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee were invited to a meeting with the state government.
Confirming the outcome, Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, said the government instructed all parties to begin again due to procedural lapses discovered along the way.
“The emphasis was on compliance and getting the process right from the very beginning,” Yusuf said.
“What was done earlier had gaps that could expose the installation to court cases, and nobody wants that.”
Moreover, he explained that the intervention was consistent with the state’s oversight role and was guided by the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law, as well as the 1957 declaration governing the Awujale stool.
According to him, the initial letter that triggered the selection exercise has been withdrawn, while a fresh directive is expected.
“Once we receive a new communication, the family will reconvene and proceed strictly by the rules,” Yusuf added.
A senior government official, who attended the meeting but declined to be named, also confirmed the suspension. The official dismissed speculation that the state was interfering in traditional affairs.
“This was not about control or influence,” the source said. “It was simply about correcting errors in how the process was initiated so that everyone follows the law.”
Furthermore, the official noted that the local government did not adhere to the required sequence outlined in the relevant laws.
Under the proper procedure, the ruling house must first notify the council of its readiness, which then seeks approval from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Hence, the reset is intended to protect the integrity of the Awujale institution and prevent avoidable disputes.
“People are watching closely, and any small mistake could end up in court,” the source said. “This restart ensures transparency and legal certainty.”
The meeting, chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, underscored the sensitivity surrounding the Awujale stool, especially given that no succession process had taken place in Ijebu for more than six decades. Was