Awujale Stool: KWAM-1 Writes Abiodun Over Exclusion From Selection Process

Fuji music icon and Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, also known as “KWAM-1″, has petitioned the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, over what he described as his exclusion from the selection process of princes to occupy the vacant Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland Stool by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Ayinde claimed that the ruling house had been issuing directives that contravened the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, stressing that the measures were intended to disenfranchise him from contesting the throne.

In the petition dated 8th January, 2026, which was signed by his lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu, Ayinde said Ijebu Ode local government area, through a letter of January 6, 2026, by its secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had given the government’s approval to the ruling house to commence the selection process.

He expressed surprise that while family members were preparing for the meeting, one Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, the family’s public relations officer, issued a notice directing contestants to collect nomination cards and appear before a screening committee chaired by Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga.

Ayinde said the directive scheduled the nomination exercise for today, but also stated that the process would be carried out by delegates to be selected at a meeting held on January 10, 2026.

The letter read in part: “It is a matter of deep concern to our client that all these directives, which contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration, Obas and Chiefs Law, and the letter from the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, were included in the family’s letter dated January 6, 2026.

“It is clear that there are plans by the leadership of the ruling house to disenfranchise members desirous of participating in the nomination of candidates for the Awujale stool.

“We wish to emphasise that all members of the ruling house are entitled to attend the meeting to nominate candidates of their choice.

“A group of people in the ruling house cannot usurp these rights. The directive providing for screening and nomination by delegates is inconsistent with both the spirit and letter of the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

“In the interest of justice and compliance with due process, we urge timely intervention to address these concerns, ensuring the integrity of the process and protecting our client’s rights”.

LEADERSHIP, however, recalled that Ayinde’s petition was coming almost a month after the Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ijebu Ode, had struck out a suit wherein he had challenged the selection process and consequently withdrew the same out of Court.

LEADERSHIP further recalls that the Fusengbuwa ruling family had earlier declared that Ayinde is not a member of their family and, as such, remained ineligible to participate in the selection process.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed receiving the letter but dismissed it as “arrant nonsense” with no bearing on the selection process.

“It is a misguided letter. Either Wahab Shittu is being misled, or Wasiu Ayinde is being misled. The letter was directed to the government, which will respond appropriately.

“The issue being raised about screening is illogical. We have over 20,000 members in the ruling house—how does he expect us to manage the crowd?”

The family has scheduled the nomination meeting for Monday, January 12, 2026, for those contesting the vacant stool.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ogun State Government proved abortive, as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, Mr Kayode Akinmade, had not responded to enquiries at the time of publication.