Following the death of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, on Sunday evening, July 13, 2025 and his subsequently burial the next day and observance of the mourning period, lobbying has commenced by aspirants to the exalted Ijebu-Ode throne.
The respected monarch and paramount ruler of Ijebuland died at the age of 91, just hours after the announcement of the death of his longtime friend, former President, Muhammadu Buhari, same day.
The late Oba Adetona was the longest serving Awujale so far, from 1960 until his death on July 13, 2025. He was from the Anikinaiya Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode.
LEADERSHIP reports that by the declaration made under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law 1957 of the Customary Law regulating the selection of the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy, there are four ruling houses, namely; House of Gbelegbuwa, House of Anikinaiya, House of Fusengbuwa, and House of Fidipote.
The Declaration was approved on August 25, 1959, and registered on September 1, 1959, even before the ascension of Oba Adetona to the Awujale throne.
Meanwhile, the House of Fusengbuwa, which is the next in the line to produce the next Awujale, has announced that 17 princes of the ruling House have indicated interest in succeeding the late Awujale Adetona.
The ruling house listed Prince Adewale Alausa, Prince Ademola Aderibigbe, Prince Taiwo Otun, Hon Olaseni Otun, Otunba Sakiru Bello, Prince Olawale Yusuf Oriola, 7. Prince Adeleke Adeyemi Akeem, Prince Adekunle Agbasale, Prince Adewale Adekoya Ayodele, Otunba Fatai Arowolo, and Prince Adeleye Lateef as aspirants to the Awujale throne.
Others include Prince Adewale Akeem Adeleke, Prince Adeyemi Oduwole, Prince Onabanjo Oladayo, Prince Odunowo Adebowale Emmanuel, Prince Adegbenro Bello, and Prince Adewale Ayoola Olasupo Bello.
However, there are still many hurdles to be crossed by the 17 princes which are rooted in tradition and law before the eventual nomination of one lucky candidate by the kingmakers and his subsequent approval by the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
