Ogun: Intrigues as Awujale stool remains vacant one year after

Monday, July 13 makes it exactly one year the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona joined his ancestors.

The monarch died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, after spending 65 years on the throne. 

He was buried the next day, Monday, July 14, at his private residence in Ijebu-Ode, according to Islamic rites.

The news of his demise came hours apart from that of his friend, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Born on May 10, 1934, into the family of Prince Rufai Adeleke of the Anikinaiya Royal House in Imupa, Ijebu-Ode, Oba Adetona was presented with the staff of office at age 26 by the then Premier of the Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola. He succeeded Oba Adesanya Gbelegbuwa II.

He was married to three wives – Iyabọ Oke, Modupe Ẹkundayọ, and Oluwakẹmi Dodo-Williams and is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In 2024, during his 90th birthday ceremony, President Bola Tinubu conferred on him the second highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and selfless service.

94 Princes, One Princess Eyes Throne

DAILY POST recalls that following his demise, no fewer than 95 people, comprising 94 princes and a princess from the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode, indicated their interest as contestants for the vacant stool.

They emerged at a nomination meeting presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, his deputy Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, and vice, Prof Fassy Yusuf, held by the ruling house at Bisrod Hall, GRA,Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Some of the contestants to the throne include Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, the husband of a former deputy governor of the state, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; renowned Ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital, Dr Kunle Hassan; Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction, among others, while the only female contestant is Oluwakemi Onanuga, a lawyer.

Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde, aka KWAM1, also declared interest in the throne. However, the Fusengbuwa family immediately dismissed his claim, stating that the musician was not a member of the ruling house and therefore could not participate in the selection process. 

KWAM1 had approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode, seeking an interim injunction to stop Governor Dapo Abiodun and six others from proceeding with the selection.

Ogun Govt Halts, Resumes, Then Halts Process Again

Ogun State Government on December 11, 2025, cancelled the selection process and ordered the ruling house to restart the exercise in strict compliance with the law to avoid prolonged litigation.

Following this directive, the government, through a January 6 letter, cleared the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to resume the process. But on 20 January, it suspended the selection process again, instructing all parties, including the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and Awujale Kingmakers’ Council, to await further directives to protect peace and the integrity of the stool.

The suspension, in a letter by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs  signed by the commissioner, Ganiyu Hamzat, ascribed the reason due to petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders

He cited security concerns and the need to maintain public order.

DAILY POST had reported that in April, nine Ijebu Ode kingmakers were also invited at the State Police Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta, over allegations of bribery and financial inducement during the selection process.

They were invited via a letter dated April 17th, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Recall that they had earlier been invited in February, over accusations of cash inducement but, after intervention by some superior authorities, the probe was eventually dropped.

One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebu land, Chief Abimbola Okenla, who confirmed the police invitation then, described the frequent invitations as a distraction and appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers do their job in picking the next Awujale of Ijebu land without any further delay.

“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebu land without any further delay,” he stated.

Also, Chairman of the Funsengbuwa Ruling House, Alhaji Abdulateef Owoyemi appealed to Governor Abiodun to lift the suspension placed on the selection process.

According to him, the state government’s action had stalled the age-long traditional exercise, asserting that the allegation of bribery and financial inducement against the kingmakers was frivolous, insisting that nothing incriminating had been found against them.

Owoyemi said the ruling house had fulfilled its traditional responsibility by submitting a list of nominees to the designated kingmakers in line with laid-down customs before the process was interrupted. 

He noted that investigations by security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, have not established any wrongdoing against members of the ruling house or the kingmakers, describing the continued suspension as unjustified.

He expressed confidence in the integrity of the kingmakers, who he noted were carefully selected during the reign of the late Awujale, to choose his successor. 

Despite appeals from the kingmakers and other stakeholders, the 2026 Ojude Oba festival was celebrated without an Awujale on the throne as the Ogun State Government’s suspension of the selection process is still on.

Meanwhile, a purported letter was allegedly written by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, to Governor Dapo Abiodun, nominating five princes for the government to choose from.

Reacting to the report, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, called on members of the public to disregard the letter, saying it does not change the fact that the Awujale selection process is still under suspension as announced by the government about six months ago.

Akinmade said whoever wrote the letter had no locus standi, adding that a valid communication conveying such decisions by kingmakers would ordinarily come through the local government.

When contacted, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode said he had nothing to do with the letter, opining that it might have been written in his name to tarnish his image.

He said, “I don’t know anything about the letter you are talking about, I am not a party to that, I am not a party to any letter. There are lots of people who may just want to tarnish my reputation, but I don’t know anything about this letter.”

Recall that before his death, Oba Adetona, seven years ago, warned against what he describes as “politicisation” of the stool after his demise.

He enjoined the kingmakers to call on God for direction before the selection of his successor.

Oba Adetona had said, “When I eventually go, please, go for a capable successor. Reject any candidate that will put Ijebu Land into retrogression.

“Do not politicise the process of selecting my successor. If the next ruling house does not present a viable candidate, please, reject him, and go for the next ruling house with a capable candidate.” 

“Do not go for moneybags that will destroy the achievements Ijebu Land has recorded so far,” he added.

Ogun: Intrigues as Awujale stool remains vacant one year after