On Friday, the town of Ijebu-Ode, located in Ogun State, witnessed a significant protest by members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house over concerns of alleged imposition in the ongoing selection process for the new Awujale.
According to reports from Daily Trust, a total of 95 candidates had been approved by the Fusengbuwa ruling house, which is set to appoint the next Awujale following the vacancy left by the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away in July after a 65-year reign.
Reports indicate that the competition for the vacant throne has been heated, filled with controversy and intrigue. Just days earlier, the government had temporarily halted the selection process for a second time, citing security concerns and various petitions from stakeholders as primary reasons.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, communicated this suspension in a letter dated January 20, 2025, directed to the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman.
On the morning of the protest, hundreds of family members took to the streets carrying placards to voice their dissatisfaction with what they believe to be an effort to impose a candidate on them.
Slogans displayed on their placards included: “Fusengbuwa say no to imposition,” “Let Ifa oracle determine the next Awujale,” and “Let the kingmakers do their job, we say no to imposition.”
The demonstration began at Odo Egbo Roundabout, continuing along the Awujale Palace/Itale Road to the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat in Itooro, where local government chairman, Dare Alebiosu, greeted the protestors.
Representing the ruling house, Mrs. Adejugba Obileye stated that the protest aimed to demand the reopening of the palace and urge the government to refrain from any imposition.
Obileye, who holds the title Aremobinrin Jadiara, remarked, “We are here at the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat to express our dissatisfaction regarding the closure of the palace and the alleged plan to impose the next Awujale on us.”
She further declared, “The Fusengbuwa ruling house firmly rejects any imposition in the ongoing selection for the Awujale. The position is sacred and should not be filled based on political motives.”
She emphasized that the Ijebu Kingdom carries a rich cultural heritage that should not be altered and highlighted the existence of an Ifa oracle within their family, asserting that it should be utilized to select the suitable candidate rather than imposing an outsider.
“We do not want a politically appointed Awujale. The government should refrain from any planned imposition and let the kingmakers perform their duties without interference,” she stated.
High Chief Adekunle Talabi, the Obajelu Olumoko of Imoko and a priest of the Agemo masquerade, echoed the need for the traditional selection process to proceed without government interference, urging the governor to ensure the right procedures are followed.
In response to the protest, Chairman Dare Alebiosu refuted claims of any government plan to impose a candidate.
He clarified, “The palace has been reopened. I assure you there are no plots for imposition; however, I will take your requests to the authorities in Abeokuta.”
“Our government is not interested in meddling with the selection of the next Awujale. That responsibility lies with the kingmakers, and they will not be obstructed in fulfilling their commitments,” he assured the protestors.
As a closing remark, he advised the crowd to remain peaceful and not let their demonstration be disrupted by any unruly elements, promising to communicate their concerns to the governor.
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