Awujale Stalled Selection Process
OpenLife News reports that the selection of the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland has stalled, and an insider says the new monarch will not emerge until after the 2027 general elections due to the varying interests and influence of President Bola Tinubu and other Yoruba billionaires.
As a result of this disturding development, leaders and members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had an enlarged meeting on Saturday, made up of princes and princesses at Ike Nla Agunsebi, Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, co-chaired by Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi, Chairman/Head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, Deputy Chairman; and Professor Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman, was called to update the family on developments and the legal steps being taken.
What The Ruling House Is Doing
The family said it remains united and determined to produce the next Awujale.
It urged members to “remain calm, focused and united” as the legal process continues, while reaffirming commitment to pursuing the matter through lawful means.
At the end of the meeting, members endorsed decisions previously taken by the leadership and expressed renewed confidence in its ability to steer the family through the process.
The stool of Awujale became vacant and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is the next in line to present a candidate, they affirmed.
The Fusengbuwa leaders said their legal action is to ensure the established selection process is concluded and that the house is allowed its legitimate turn in the rotation.
Owoyemi said the large turnout at the meeting was proof of unity: “The house is united. Princes and princesses came from Lagos and other places. They supported our decision and they have confidence in our leadership.”
However, a prominent Yoruba business man told OpenLife in Ekiti Sunday afternoon that powerful political and business figures, including President Bola Tinubu and other Yoruba billionaires, have varying interests in who succeeds the late Awujale.
“The differences have created a deadlock, with stakeholders preferring to wait until after the 2027 elections before pushing any candidate through. You know some power brokers do not want a new Awujale installed ahead of 2027.
“A new monarch is seen as a major influence in Ogun East politics, and stakeholders want to control the process to align with post-election calculations.”
It would be recalled that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has instituted a court action against Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, nine Ijebu-Ode kingmakers and five other defendants.
The suit is seeking an order to compel them to conclude the selection process. Legal sources say the case is unlikely to be concluded before 2027.
Alleged Plot To Frustrate Fusengbuwa Ruling House
Otunba Owoyemi alleged that “some individuals are working to frustrate the ruling house’s effort to produce the next Awujale.”
He said the plan is so that “they will come back to say our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale again” and use it to question the house’s right to the throne.
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