The Ogun State Government has ordered a restart of the selection process for the vacant Awujale stool and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
Prof. Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, confirmed the development in a phone interview on Wednesday. The stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July at the age of 91, after a 65-year reign.
A letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by Oke Adebanjo, Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, had instructed the ruling house to nominate candidates for the Awujale stool within 14 days. The house began the process, attracting over 60 princes, and scheduled screenings for Monday, December 15.
However, the process was suspended after a meeting convened by the state government on Tuesday with representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee. Presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ganiyu Hamzat, the meeting was aimed at ensuring full compliance with chieftaincy laws.
Prof. Yusuf explained that the government’s directive to restart the process was prompted by procedural errors that could have led to legal challenges. He emphasized that the intervention was necessary to ensure adherence to the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool.
“The government wants us to strictly follow the law in the selection and installation of the Awujale,” Yusuf said. “We will soon receive a fresh letter from the local government to restart the process. No candidate list has been submitted yet, so there is nothing to worry about.”
A senior state government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the suspension, stressing that the meeting was not an interference but a corrective measure to address procedural lapses by the local government.
“The local government acted prematurely in initiating the process and did not follow the proper legal procedures,” the official said. “We have guided all parties on the correct steps to avoid disputes. The ruling house must formally notify the local government of its readiness before the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs authorizes the process to begin.”
The government assured that restarting the selection will guarantee full compliance with legal provisions and prevent future litigation over the installation of the next Awujale.
