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Ogun govt cancels Awujale selection process
Ogun Government Nullifies Awujale Selection Process, Orders Fresh Exercise
The Ogun State Government has officially nullified the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, directing that the entire exercise be restarted to ensure full compliance with existing chieftaincy laws.
The development was confirmed by the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, during a telephone interview on Wednesday, following a crucial meeting between state officials, the ruling house, and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee.
The revered Awujale stool became vacant after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July 2025. The monarch passed away at the age of 91 after an extraordinary 65-year reign, one of the longest in Nigeria’s traditional institution history.
How the Selection Process Began
According to official records, a letter dated December 2, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Oke Adebanjo, directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce the next Awujale within 14 days.
Acting on the directive, the ruling house commenced the process, which reportedly attracted over 60 princes, and fixed Monday, December 15, for the screening of aspirants.
However, the exercise was abruptly suspended after the Ogun State Government summoned stakeholders to a meeting aimed at reviewing compliance with relevant laws governing traditional ruler installations.
Why the Process Was Cancelled
Prof. Yusuf explained that the government identified procedural errors in how the process was initiated, errors that could potentially lead to prolonged legal battles if not corrected early.
“The meeting with the government was to ensure that everything falls in place,” Yusuf said. “The government wants us to strictly adhere to the provisions of the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool.”
He further clarified that the initial letter authorising the commencement of the process had been withdrawn and that a fresh directive would soon be issued.
Key Decisions Reached at the Meeting
- The earlier selection process has been completely cancelled
- A new letter authorising the process will be issued by the local government
- The ruling house must first formally notify the local government of its readiness
- The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs will supervise compliance
- The aim is to prevent unnecessary litigation
Prof. Yusuf stressed that there was no cause for alarm, noting that no list of candidates had been submitted to the kingmakers before the suspension.
Government Reacts to Interference Claims
A senior state government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed allegations of undue interference, explaining that the intervention was purely corrective.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this was not about government interference,” the official said. “The local government jumped the gun and did not fully follow the guidelines provided under the law. The meeting was convened to ensure that the right procedure is followed.”
The official added that heightened public interest in the Awujale stool had made it imperative to eliminate any loopholes that could be exploited by litigants eager to challenge the process in court.
What Happens Next?
Stakeholders are now awaiting a fresh directive from the local government, after which the Fusengbuwa Ruling House will reconvene to begin the process anew in line with statutory requirements.
Observers say the government’s action, though disruptive, is aimed at preserving the integrity of one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional institutions.
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