Awujale: Protest in Ijebu-Ode Over Alleged Imposition Plot

Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, erupted on Friday as members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house took to the streets protesting an alleged imposition plot in the ongoing selection process for the new Awujale.

Daily Trust reports that 95 contestants had been cleared by the Fusengbuwa ruling house, which is next in line to fill the vacant stool of Awujale.

The last occupant, Oba Sikiru Adetona, joined his ancestors in July last year after reigning for 65 years.

Our correspondent reports that the race to fill the vacant stool has been intense, marked by controversy and intrigue.

On Wednesday, the government abruptly stopped the selection process for the second time, citing security reports and petitions from stakeholders as reasons for halting the process.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, announced the suspension in a letter dated January 20, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government.

On Friday morning, hundreds of family members carrying placards expressed their displeasure over the alleged plot to impose a candidate.

Inscriptions on some of the placards read: “Fusengbuwa say no to imposition,” “Let Ifa oracle determine the next Awujale,” “Let the kingmakers do their job, we say no to imposition,” among others.

The family members, who took off from Odo Egbo Roundabout, walked through the Awujale Palace/Itale Road to the Secretariat of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Itooro, where they were received by the LG Chairman, Dare Alebiosu.

Speaking on behalf of the ruling house, Mrs Adejugba Obileye said that the family embarked on the protest to demand the reopening of the palace and to urge the government to stay clear of any imposition plot.

Obileye, who is also the Aremobinrin Jadiara, said, “We are at the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat to register our displeasure over the closure of the palace and the alleged plan to impose the next Awujale of Ijebu land on us.

“We are here to say that the Fusengbuwa ruling house is saying no to and rejecting any plan of imposition in the ongoing selection process of the Awujale. The Awujale stool is sacred; it is not to be filled as a result of one political consideration or the other.

“We don’t want a political Awujale. The Ijebu Kingdom has its rich cultural heritage that should not be bastardised by anyone. We have an Ifa oracle in our family, so the government should allow the Ifa oracle to pick the right candidate for us and not just impose anyone. They should not impose any foreigner on us.

“The government should desist from any planned imposition. They should allow the kingmakers to do their job. We are not fighting with the government, but they should not interfere unnecessarily in the ongoing selection process of the new Awujale.”

Also speaking on behalf of the traditionalists, High Chief Adekunle Talabi, the Obajelu Olumoko of Imoko and a priest of the Agemo masquerade, said, “I just want to urge our governor to allow the right thing to be done. There should be nothing like imposition; it is not acceptable. The government should allow the ruling house, the Fusengbuwa, and the kingmakers to pick the next Awujale.”

Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of the local government, Dare Alebiosu, debunked the allegation of a plan by the government to impose any candidate on the family.

He explained, “The palace has since been opened; I am aware of that. However, on the alleged imposition plan by the government, I want to assure you that there is nothing like that, but I will certainly convey your request to the seat of authority in Abeokuta.

“The government is not interested in interfering with the selection of the next Awujale. That is the job of the kingmakers, and the government will certainly not hinder them from doing their job.

“However, I want to urge you to go back home and not allow your peaceful protest to be hijacked by hoodlums. I have heard your request, and I will ensure that the governor gets to hear of your concerns.”

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