Awujale: Fusengbuwa Ruling House sues Abiodun, kingmakers over stalled selection

Awujale: Fusengbuwa Ruling House sues Abiodun, kingmakers over stalled selection

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has taken Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, the state government and members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council to court over the stalled process of selecting the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

The suit, filed at the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, is seeking judicial orders compelling the relevant authorities to allow the succession process to resume and be completed in accordance with the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

The case, dated August 21, 2026, was filed by the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Abdulateef Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Adedokun Ajidagba; and Vice Chairman, Prof Fassy Yusuf.

The defendants include Governor Abiodun; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN); the Ogun State Executive Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; and its chairman, Dare Alebiosu.

Nine members of the Awujale Afobaje/Kingmakers Council are also named as defendants. They are Sonny Kuku, Rasheed Adesanya, Oluwaranti Osifeso, Jimi Lawal, Abimbola Okenla, Kunle Ogunade, Agboola Alausa, Adebisi Adaran and Ayotunde Odulaja.

The legal dispute stems from the prolonged process of finding a successor to the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 after a 65-year reign.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House maintains that the succession process was properly initiated after Ijebu-Ode Local Government notified it on December 2, 2025, that it was its turn to produce a candidate under the rotational arrangement governing the Awujale stool.

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The family subsequently held its nomination meeting on January 12, 2026, which it said was within the 14-day period prescribed by Section 16 of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

According to the claimants, 95 princes and princesses were nominated during the exercise, with the completed list forwarded to the nine-member kingmakers’ council on January 19, 2026.

The ruling house contends that the submission of the list marked the completion of its statutory responsibility and paved the way for the kingmakers to commence the next stage of the process — selecting a preferred candidate from the nominees.

However, the claimants allege that the kingmakers were prevented from meeting less than 24 hours after receiving the nomination list.

They alleged that police officers entered the Awujale Palace after midnight on January 20, 2026, and locked the premises, thereby preventing the kingmakers from convening to continue the selection process.

The ruling house is now asking the High Court to determine whether the Ogun State Government had the legal authority to order or facilitate the alleged closure of the palace and prevent the kingmakers from carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

It also wants the court to determine whether the state government had the power under the Ogun State chieftaincy law to suspend the nomination or selection process for the Awujale stool.

The claimants further argue that the ruling house had fully complied with its legal obligation after completing its nomination exercise within the prescribed period.

They are asking the court to determine whether the kingmakers, after receiving the 95-name nomination list, became legally obligated under Sections 16(1)(e) and (f) of the law to select a candidate and forward the name to the Ogun State Executive Council.

The ruling house is also relying on Section 22 of the law in asking the court to determine whether the Executive Council is required to act on a candidate selected and presented by the kingmakers.

The claimants are seeking a declaration that they should not be compelled to reopen, repeat or recommence the nomination exercise after completing it in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

They are also asking the court to declare that the Awujale kingmakers must proceed with the selection of a candidate from the submitted list and forward the name to the appropriate government authority.

Among the reliefs sought is an order directing the kingmakers to reconvene within seven days of judgment and complete the selection process.

The ruling house is further seeking an injunction restraining the Ogun State Government and security agencies from interfering with the succession process.

It wants the court to declare the alleged locking of the Awujale Palace unlawful, ultra vires the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, and contrary to the claimants’ right to fair hearing.

The legal action follows an earlier decision by the state government to suspend the succession exercise amid concerns over security, alleged bribery and financial inducement.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, however, disputes the basis for those concerns and says no evidence or formal petition substantiating the allegations was presented to it.

The claimants further contend that investigations by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) did not establish wrongdoing by the ruling house.

The dispute has already affected planned engagements between the kingmakers and prospective candidates. The selection process was halted after security authorities became involved, while aspirants were subsequently directed to appear before the DSS for screening.

The case now places the respective powers and responsibilities of the ruling house, Awujale kingmakers and Ogun State Government before the court.

Counsel for the claimants, led by Olusegun Otayemi, argued in the originating summons that the state’s chieftaincy law establishes a sequential process involving nomination, selection and approval, which should be followed once the process has been validly commenced.

The ruling house is therefore asking the court to clarify whether any government authority has the power to interrupt the statutory process after the relevant stages have been completed.

The outcome of the case could determine the future of the current Awujale succession process, including whether the 95-name nomination list remains valid and whether the kingmakers can proceed with the selection of a successor to Oba Adetona.

It could also provide judicial clarification on how the provisions of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law 2021 should be applied in the appointment of the next Awujale.

The case adds a significant legal dimension to the prolonged search for a successor to one of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers, as stakeholders in Ijebuland await further developments from the court.

Awujale: Fusengbuwa Ruling House sues Abiodun, kingmakers over stalled selection