The Ogun State Government has cancelled the ongoing process to select a new Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, citing procedural irregularities.
The decision was confirmed on Wednesday by the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, during a telephone conversation with the Punch.
The revered Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July. The monarch passed away at the age of 91 after reigning for 65 years.
Earlier, 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 formally asked to nominate a successor.
The ruling house was given 14 days to complete the process and submit the names of qualified candidates.
In response, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House initiated the selection exercise, which reportedly attracted about 60 princes, and scheduled the screening of aspirants for Monday, December 15.
However, the exercise was abruptly suspended after the Ogun State Government convened a meeting on Tuesday involving representatives of the ruling house and members of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee.
Sources disclosed that the meeting was convened to address concerns about compliance with existing chieftaincy laws.
Speaking on the outcome, Prof. Yusuf said the meeting, chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ganiyu Hamzat, resolved that the entire process be restarted.
According to him, the initial exercise was voided due to procedural lapses that could expose the eventual installation of a new Awujale to legal challenges.
He maintained that the government’s intervention was appropriate and aimed solely at ensuring strict adherence to the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, as well as the 1957 chieftaincy declaration guiding the Awujale stool.
Yusuf said, “We have been informed that the initial letter directing us to submit candidates has been withdrawn. We expect a fresh communication from the local government to restart the process.”
He added that the ruling house would reconvene to review the situation and proceed in line with official guidelines.
“The government discovered a procedural error in the way the process was initiated. To avoid unnecessary litigation, we all agreed to begin again. Fortunately, no list of candidates had been submitted to the kingmakers, so nothing has been compromised,” Yusuf stated.
A senior state government official who attended the meeting, but requested anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, also confirmed the suspension of the exercise.
The official dismissed suggestions of undue government interference, explaining that the intervention was solely to correct errors in the process initiated by the local government.
“The meeting was not about interference, as some have claimed,” the source said. “It was strictly about ensuring compliance with the law.
“The local government did not follow the procedure laid out in the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration. We have now advised all parties on the correct steps to follow so as to prevent avoidable court cases.
“Some individuals are already watching closely and would readily exploit any loophole to challenge the process in court.”
The official further explained that, under the law, the ruling house is required to formally notify the local government of its readiness before the local government seeks authorisation from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to commence the selection process.
He noted that, given the fact that the Awujale stool had not changed hands in over six decades, some officials may understandably be unfamiliar with the detailed procedure, unlike in communities where such installations occur more frequently.
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