The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode has distanced itself from popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM1), declaring that he is not a member of their royal lineage and therefore ineligible to contest for the vacant Awujale throne.
The family also announced December 15 as the official date for nominating candidates who wish to succeed the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away in July after a historic 65-year reign. The shortlisted nominees will then be forwarded to the kingmakers, who are expected to select the next monarch within seven days.
Speaking during a press briefing at Ile Nla on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Fusengbuwa Nomination Committee, Abiodun Ogidan, said the claims made by the Fuji maestro about belonging to the ruling house were unsubstantiated and misleading.
“We just concluded a family meeting involving all the Olori Ebi and heads of the Jadiara and Fusengbuwa families,” Ogidan said. “After reviewing the lineage form he filled, it was confirmed that Wasiu Ayinde is not part of the Fusengbuwa ruling house. He never received an Awujale nomination form, and the process had already closed before he suddenly began claiming royal ties.”
Ogidan criticised the musician’s attempt to link himself to the royal dynasty, saying the family found it disrespectful.
“How can someone who has never attended our meetings or supported the family now claim to belong at the peak of our family’s history? This is 2025. He cannot rewrite our lineage. He is simply not one of us.”
Adding to the controversy, the Oduneye family, which forms part of the Jadiara royal structure, also refuted Ayinde’s claims. Representing the family, Alhaja Adesumbo Oduneye expressed shock that the lineage form submitted by the musician was signed by her half-brother, Adetayo Oduneye, whom she insisted had no authority to represent the family.
She said, “Yes, Adetayo is our brother, but he is not the head of the Oduneye family. We do not recognise the Setejoye narrative he is pushing. Wasiu Ayinde is not a member of the Oduneye or Jadiara ruling houses. He has no ties whatsoever to our lineage.”
According to her, the family believes Adetayo acted alone and is attempting to distort facts. “The Oduneye family, both at home and abroad, has sent me to state clearly that KWAM1 is not from Jadiara and cannot claim our heritage.”
The latest dispute follows the musician’s public declaration last week that he is from the Jadiara royal house, a sub-unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling family currently entitled to present the next Awujale of Ijebu-Ode. His lineage form was reportedly endorsed by Adetayo Oduneye, who introduced himself as leader of the Setejoye branch of the Jadiara family.
But with two key families now publicly rejecting his claim, KWAM1’s ambition to ascend the Awujale throne faces significant opposition.
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