AlawujeAwujale stoolNiaja NewsOgun state

Awujale Stool: Ijebu Council Clears ‘Otunbas’ for Throne as 95 Candidates Jostle for Crown

Lifestyle Desk

IJEBU-ODE — The race to succeed the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona as the next Awujale of Ijebuland has taken a dramatic turn, with the Council of Otunbas officially declaring that holding a chieftaincy title is not a ground for disqualification.

The clarification came this week in a direct response to rumors that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House kingmakers planned to screen out princes who hold the title of “Otunba.”

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Otunba Busura Alebiosu, the Council warned that introducing “strange” disqualification criteria would invite legal chaos and derail the selection process, which the Ogun State Government has already suspended twice due to procedural breaches.

Qualification & Disqualification: The Rules

With 95 princes currently vying for the stool, the selection criteria have become the subject of intense debate. Based on the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, here is who qualifies—and who does not.

The Qualified:

  • Ruling House: The candidate must come from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, whose turn it is to present the next monarch.
  • Lineage: Priority goes to princes from the Male Line (sons of princes).
  • Title Holders: Contrary to earlier rumors, the Council of Otunbas has affirmed that holding an honorary title (like Otunba) is a qualification, not a disqualification, citing historical precedents where title holders ascended the throne.

The Disqualified (Likely):

  • Female Lineage: While some princesses (like Princess Oluwakemi Adetokunboh) have picked up nomination forms, the 1957 Declaration stipulates that candidates from the female line can only be considered if there are no qualified princes from the male line—a scenario currently unlikely given the 95 male contenders.
  • “Stranger” Elements: The Fusengbuwa family has already rejected the application of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), declaring him ineligible because he reportedly does not belong to a recognized branch of the ruling house.

The Likely Candidates

Despite the large number of applicants, palace sources indicate that the race is narrowing down to a few heavyweights with strong administrative and business backgrounds.

  • Prince Adebisi Kadiri: A retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service, seen as a “technocrat” option.
  • Prince Abdul-Fatai Arowolo: A construction magnate and CEO of Aeron Construction.
  • Prince Olumuyiwa Adeyemi: A prominent contender from the ruling house.
  • Prince Adegbenga Bakare: Another strong name currently undergoing screening.

Government Halts Process Again

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has ordered a fresh suspension of the selection process. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, cited “security reports” and the need for DSS profiling of all nominees before the Kingmakers can proceed.

The government has warned that any “meet-and-greet” or screening conducted without state approval will be declared null and void.