The Ogun State Government on Wednesday suspended the selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland for the second time in less than a month, ordering a halt amid heightened security presence at the Awujale’s palace in Ijebu Ode.
Correspondents observed a heavy deployment of police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps around the palace following the directive.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who ruled for 65 years and died at the age of 91.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the state government said the suspension was necessary to preserve public order, protect the integrity of the selection process, and uphold the prestige of the revered stool.
“Given the reports available to the government, we have chosen to act proactively in the interest of peace, order and good governance by halting the process in its entirety,” the statement read. “The Fusengbuwa Ruling House should await further directives regarding the selection process.”
The government had earlier suspended the exercise on December 18, 2025, citing procedural lapses capable of triggering litigation.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had shortlisted 95 contenders—94 princes and one princess—at a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode. The process has since attracted wide public attention, including a legal challenge by Fuji musician, Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1), who sought an interim injunction to stop the exercise.
Confirming the latest suspension, the Regent and head of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Dr Sonny Kuku, said the palace received official notification from the government that the process had been temporarily halted.
“We have been informed that the process is on hold for now. While we are yet to be told the specific reason, we are engaging the government to ensure the process resumes, as the people are eagerly awaiting the emergence of a new Awujale,” he said.
Kuku dismissed insinuations of government interference, describing such claims as speculative. He stressed that the kingmakers were fully conscious of their responsibilities and would not allow any form of imposition.
“The government does not sit with us during deliberations, and we do not work with them directly. If there is any attempt at imposition, we will make it public. That has not happened,” he said.
On the heavy security presence at the palace, Kuku explained that it was merely to signal that the process had been paused, not to influence deliberations.
“The palace symbolises the people. Restricting access simply shows that the process is temporarily in abeyance. There is no conflict, physical or otherwise. Our focus is peace, and we believe the palace will reopen soon,” he added.
The regent also said the kingmakers had not received any of the petitions reportedly submitted by stakeholders and security agencies, which the government cited as part of the reason for the suspension.
“If such petitions exist, they should be forwarded to us. We are consulting with the government and will update the public once discussions are concluded. There is no cause for alarm,” Kuku said.
Rejecting claims of bias, he said the kingmakers were painstakingly reviewing the credentials of all aspirants.
“We have not slept for five days, examining about 95 applications and over 1,200 documents. Our goal is to select the best candidate for Ijebuland. If we were compromised, we would not be working this hard,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services confirmed that the 95 nominees had been scheduled for profiling in Ijebu Ode as part of the vetting process, but the exercise was suspended in compliance with the government’s directive.
In a related development, one of the contenders, Mr Wasiu Adewale Olasunkanmi Adesanya, wrote to the state government urging that the process, when resumed, be inclusive, transparent and fair.
In a letter dated January 21, 2026, signed by his counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, Adesanya commended the government for suspending the process in the interest of peace, while stressing his eligibility as a descendant of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
He appealed to the government to ensure that no qualified contender is excluded, noting that an inclusive process would promote unity, public confidence and the enduring prestige of the Awujale stool.
The Ogun State Government said its actions were guided by the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021, with the overriding aim of maintaining peace and stability in Ijebuland.
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