Awujale Stool: Ruling House Resumes Selection Process January 12

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has fixed Monday, January 12, 2026, as the new date for the continuation of the selection process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

This new date followed a letter of clearance obtained by the family from the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, through the chairman of Ijebu Ode local government area, Hon. Dare Alebiosu.

LEADERSHIP recalled that the state government had, about three weeks ago, directed the family to suspend the earlier selection process on the grounds of a procedural error by the Local Government Authority, which the government suspected could lead to a floodgate of litigation.

But in a letter dated January 6th and signed by the Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo, the local government said that, having received clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Fusengbuwa ruling house should commence the process to fill the vacant stool of Awujale.

The statement partly reads: “Following clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, I am directed to convey the approval of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, for the commencement of the Process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

“The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is hereby authorised to begin its internal Selection Process in accordance with the Customary Laws of Ijebuland and the Chieftaincy Regulations of Ogun State.

“To ensure proper administrative documentation, please formally notify the Local Government of the date, time, and venue of the nomination exercise, which must be within 14 days from the receipt of this notification, while representatives of the Local Government will attend strictly as observers.

“This approval is issued to facilitate due process and remains without prejudice to the traditional rights and internal procedures of the Ruling House”.

Similarly, the ruling house has equally fixed Monday, January 12, for the nomination meeting for the vacant stool of Awujale at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode.

This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday and signed by Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, the chairman of the ruling house.

The letter partly reads “We wish to thank you for your letter dated 6th January, 2026, Ref No IOLG.584/11/34, and confirm to you, that our Ruling House Family Nomination Meeting for the vacant position of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of ijebuland, has, by the Grace of Almighty God, been fixed to take place on Monday, 12th of January, 2026 at The BISROD HALL, GRA, Off Igbeba Road, Ijebu Ode by 12 Noon.’’

LEADERSHIP also recalled that the earlier selection process, under the chairmanship of Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi as head of the Fusengbuwa family, had attracted over 60 contestants, which included the embattled popular Fuji music icon, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe, popularly known as “KWAM1”.