Ogun Govt Halts Awujale Succession, Orders Fresh Selection Process

Ogun Govt Halts Awujale Succession, Orders Fresh Selection Process

The Ogun State Government has cancelled the ongoing selection process for the vacant Awujale stool, ordering the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to restart the exercise in line with extant chieftaincy laws.

The Awujale throne became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July.

The revered monarch passed away at the age of 91 after a historic 65-year reign as the Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying the decision followed a meeting between representatives of the ruling house, the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee and officials of the state government.

Recall that in a letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was directed to produce a successor to the late monarch within 14 days.

Acting on the directive, the ruling house commenced the process, with about 60 princes reportedly indicating interest, and fixed December 15 for the screening of aspirants.

However, the exercise was suspended after the state government summoned stakeholders to a meeting presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ganiyu Hamzat.

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Prof. Yusuf said the government directed that the entire process be halted and restarted due to procedural lapses capable of triggering legal disputes over the eventual installation of a new Awujale.

He stressed that the intervention was necessary to ensure strict compliance with the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration guiding succession to the Awujale stool.

According to him, the earlier letter from the local government initiating the process has been withdrawn, and a fresh directive would be issued to formally recommence the exercise.

“The government wants us to follow the laid-down procedures to the letter,” Yusuf said.

“There were procedural errors in how the process was initiated, and to avoid unnecessary litigation, we agreed to start afresh. No list of candidates has been submitted to the kingmakers, so there is no cause for concern.”

A senior state government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the suspension, dismissing claims of government interference.

The official explained that the local government failed to follow due process under the law, noting that the ruling house must first formally notify the local government of its readiness before the ministry authorises the commencement of the selection process.

The source added that the corrective steps were taken to ensure transparency, legality and consensus, especially given that the Awujale stool has not witnessed a succession process in over six decades.

 

 

Ogun Govt Halts Awujale Succession, Orders Fresh Selection Process

Source: The PUNCH