Awujale Selection: ‘Task Now With Kingmakers, Govt’ – Royal Family

The Fusengbuwa ruling house has said it has completed its responsibilities in the process of selecting a new Awujale of Ijebu land, insisting that the ball now lies in the court of the kingmakers and the state government.

The chairman of the ruling house and former national president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Lateef Owoyemi, disclosed this on Monday when Punch contacted him for updates on the stalled selection process.

“We have actually done and completed our duties. We have handed over the nominated candidates to the kingmakers, whose job is to select the new Awujale from the candidates,” Owoyemi said.

He explained that the ruling house’s responsibility was limited to nominating eligible princes and princesses for consideration.

“We are not the kingmakers; we are not to crown the king, so we have done our best and played our roles very well. Nobody has complained about all that we have done so far. The rest lies with the government and all concerned,” he stated.

The selection process was halted for the second time last month by the state government, with a statement signed by the governor’s spokesman, Hamzat, explaining that the suspension was due to a flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.

The stool of the Awujale became vacant in July 2025 following the death of the revered Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years and died at age 91.

At a nomination meeting held last month at Bisrod Hall, GRA Ijebu Ode, members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house nominated 95 candidates, 94 princes and one princess, for consideration by the kingmakers.

The kingmakers, led by the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Dr Sunny Kuku, were set to begin the selection process when the government ordered the halt.

Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed that it is investigating allegations of bribery and corruption involving some kingmakers.

The police spokesman, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, told Punch that the probe was ongoing, but declined to reveal how many kingmakers had been summoned.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

Last week, the police disclosed that one of the invitations was sent to the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya. The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Gbenga Adeoye, head of the Criminal Investigation Department, requested that Chief Adesanya appear before the command to clarify the allegations and noted that he could be accompanied by a lawyer.