Awujale Stool: 95 Princes, Princesses Of Fusegbuwa Ruling House Jostle For Throne

As the Fusengbuwa Ruling House resumed the nomination process of a candidate to occupy the vacant stool of Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland on Monday, no fewer than 96 princes and princesses obtained nomination forms to enable them to participate in the process.

The Olori Ebi of Fusegbuwa Ruling House, who is also Otunba Jadiara, Lateef Owoyemi, disclosed this on Monday at the commencement of the nomination meeting held at Bisi Rodipe Hall, Ijebu Ode.

In his welcome address, Otunba Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), stated that after the meeting, the names of those who had cleared  the first hurdle would be forwarded to the Afobajes.

“The Afobajes would pick one of the candidates as the next Awujale and forward his name to the Ogun State Government,” he said.

He also noted that after due process, anyone with displeasure should channel their grievances to the government, assuring that the kingmakers would not make mistakes in the selection process.

Owoyemi assured that within a month, Ijebuland would have a king to sit on the stool of Awujale.

He further maintained that after the due process of nomination and submission of names, kingmakers would sift for the best candidates and forward their names to the government for approval.

“We have 19 days for anyone aggrieved to express their displeasure. We have 86 princes and princesses who expressed interest in the throne; we have successfully, peacefully, and harmoniously nominated ninety-five (95) candidates today. Now it’s in the hands of the kingmakers to do their work and select one of them for us.

“We in the Fusegbuwa ruling house have done a lot of traditional research through the oracles to guide us on what’s going to happen, and we have no doubt at all that the kingmakers are going to select the person that the Almighty God himself has appointed, and our ancestors have also blessed,” he said.

Owoyemi emphasised that the nomination is a win-win for all the family, adding that those who may not be king would serve in the palace, assuring that there would be no litigation at all after the process.

“It’s a win-win for everybody because even those who may not be appointed as the king will serve in the palace by the grace of God; there will be no litigation. So, we can rest assured that by the grace of Almighty God, we are going to be very happy,” he said.

He also expressed confidence in the government, stating that they would follow due process and do the right things, supporting what the family supports.

“For the government, well, we know the government is going to do the right thing and support what the family supports. And God will guide them right and select the best person for us. And we know they will not make any mistake,” he added.

Among the candidates nominated were Fatai Arowolo, the CEO of Aroon Construction Company; Biodun Onanuga, husband of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Dr Kunle Hassan, founder of the Eye Foundation; and others.

The nomination process was observed by numerous observers, including government representatives, security agents, journalists, and others, to ensure transparency and accountability.

Other leaders of the Ruling House at the meeting included Deputy Olori Ebi, Otunba Ajidagba, Chairman, Chief Fassy Yusuf, among others.