Awujale Stool: Probe Corruption Allegations, Punish Culprits, Fassy Yusuf, Others Urge Ogun Gov’t

The Secretary of the Ijebu Council of Chiefs and Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Chief (Prof.) Adetokunbo Fassy Yusuf, has urged the Ogun State Government to thoroughly investigate alleged corruption and take punitive action against individuals accused of attempting to derail the process of selecting a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Chief Yusuf made the call at the weekend in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where he condemned what he described as deliberate attempts by some individuals to disrupt the selection process by promoting the interests of certain candidates over others.

According to him, it was fraudulent for anyone to single out or highlight preferred candidates, stressing that the 2022 Obas and Chiefs Law does not create any dichotomy among princes, as all eligible princes are regarded as equal under the law.

“As far as the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is concerned, we have done our part. But if there is any malpractice from our side, they should point it out. If anyone has soiled their hands, such persons should be made scapegoats. Equity demands clean hands,” he said.

Chief Yusuf insisted that anyone found mismanaging or undermining the process must be held accountable.

Speaking on the suspension of the selection process, he urged the state government to clearly state the reasons for the action, noting that transparency would help ensure a smooth and credible process.

“For the governor to suspend the process, there must be reasons. Government has all the apparatus to investigate both the immediate and remote causes. If anyone is found culpable, such a person should pay for destabilising the process,” he added.

The high chief, who is also the Bagbimo of Ijebuland, explained that the process initially commenced with 95 nominations, which were later reduced to 86 in line with the provisions of the 2022 Obas and Chiefs Law, in order to avoid litigation.

The former Ogun State Commissioner for Information expressed surprise that after adopting the template set by the kingmakers, certain names were allegedly highlighted while some Otunbas were disqualified—an action he described as “porous and reckless.”

He clarified that the Otunba title was ceremonial, created by the immediate past Awujale to honour individuals who stood by him during political challenges, adding that it was neither traditional nor gazetted.

“There is no document anywhere that says you cannot become Awujale if you are an Otunba,” he stated.

Chief Yusuf also described recent protests by some individuals as “sponsored,” noting that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House never met to collectively agree to such actions, which he described as unfortunate.

He cautioned members of the public against relying on social media narratives, describing many online reports as fabrications capable of inciting unrest if not properly checked.

“Most of what you read on social media are lies. As a media practitioner and scholar, I describe such activities as social chaos and social disruption. The public should be wary of patronising them,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, said the selection process was suspended temporarily to prevent unwholesome practices, assuring that it would resume soon.

He denied reports that any chief had been suspended in the town, describing such claims as false.

“I was shocked when I heard that a chief was suspended. That is not true, and we have issued a statement to clarify the situation,” Alebiosu said.

The council chairman assured contestants and residents of a level playing field, stressing that government had no preferred candidate but would not allow the situation to degenerate into chaos.

One of the contestants, Prince Adegboyega Banjoko of Ile Nla Quarters, Fusengbuwa Ruling House, called for fairness and urged the government to take decisive action against anyone attempting to hijack the process.

Another contestant, Prince Tajudeen Bello, appealed for calm and urged the government to thoroughly investigate allegations of graft involving some candidates and kingmakers, insisting that the Awujale stool “must not be left to the highest bidder.”