The Ogun State Government has suspended the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. Prof. Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, confirmed the development in a phone interview on Wednesday. The stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July, who ruled for 65 years and passed away at the age of 91. In a letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by the Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Oke Adebanjo, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was instructed to nominate candidates for the next Awujale within 14 days. Acting on the directive, the ruling house began the selection process, which reportedly attracted over 60 princes, and scheduled the screening for Monday, December 15. However, the exercise was halted after the state government called a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee. The meeting, presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ganiyu Hamzat, aimed to ensure full compliance with existing chieftaincy laws. Prof. Yusuf explained that the government directed the ruling house to restart the process due to procedural errors that could have led to legal challenges. He emphasized that the intervention was standard practice to ensure adherence to the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool. “The meeting with the government was to ensure that everything falls in place,” Yusuf said. “We are to strictly follow the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale. Very soon, we will receive a fresh letter from the local government to begin the process anew. The earlier letter giving us 14 days has been withdrawn. “The family will review the situation, and we will proceed according to government guidelines. No list of candidates has been submitted to the kingmakers, so there is nothing to worry about.” A senior state government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the suspension, stressing that the meeting was intended to correct procedural errors and not to interfere with the ruling house’s autonomy. “The local government acted prematurely in initiating the selection process. It did not follow the procedures outlined in the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration for the Awujale stool,” the official said. “We have guided all parties on the correct steps to avoid unnecessary litigation. “To properly commence the process, the ruling house must first formally notify the local government of its readiness. The local government will then communicate with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which will authorize the selection process. Given that the Awujale’s installation has remained unchanged for 65 years, it is understandable that some officials may be unfamiliar with the procedure.” The government has assured that the restart of the selection process will ensure full compliance with the law and prevent disputes over the installation of the new Awujale.
