DSS summons contestants as controversy over Awujale stool thickens

The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned contestants for the stool of Awujale of Ijebuland, amid fresh controversy and concerns over the ongoing selection process.

The summon, it was gathered, forced the Awujale Kingmakers Council to the cancel the planned meet-and-greet earlier scheduled to hold at the Aafin Awujale.

Instead, the council directed Awujale nominees to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Ijebu-Ode.

This was contained in a statement dated January 20, 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba, and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.

According to the notice, all Awujale nominees are required to present themselves at the DSS office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m. prompt.

The council stated that the decision led to the cancellation of the earlier engagement at the Aafin Awujale, while expressing regret over any inconvenience the sudden change may cause.

The letter, signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, urged all concerned nominees to comply strictly with the directive and ensure punctuality.

The letter partly reads “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled.

“Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at State Security Service (SSS) Along NTA Road, Beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, Off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode. Time: 11:00 a.m. prompt.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive”.

Already, the state Government had halted the ongoing selection process for the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

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

The government said it halted the ongoing process after receiving “several” petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the process.

Daily Trust reports that this is the second time the government would stop the selection process to pick the successor of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

Oba Adetona joined his ancestors last year after reigning for 65 years.

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

Last week, the Fusengbuwa Ruling, next line to produce the Awujale, submitted list of 94 princes and one princess cleared as candidates for the stool.

The ruling house subsequently had passed the responsibility to the kingmakers to select the new Awujale out the 95 candidates before the latest development from the government, halting the process.

“In this regard, the State Government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process.

“In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time,” Hamzat said in the statement.

In taking this decision, the Commissioner said government had “due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021 which empower it to “set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so.”

He explained that the government “acted proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.”

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