The Ogun State Government has ordered an immediate suspension of the process to appoint a new Awujale, the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, citing concerns over security and public order.
The directive was conveyed in a letter dated January 20, 2025, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, and addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government.
According to the state government, the decision followed the receipt of “several” petitions, alongside reports from security agencies and other critical stakeholders, all raising issues about the ongoing selection exercise.
This marks the second time the state government has intervened to stop the process of choosing a successor to the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away last year after a historic 65-year reign.
Since the monarch’s death, the contest for the revered stool has been highly competitive, generating controversy and intense behind the-scenes maneuvering.
READ ALSO: KWAM1 Drags Abiodun, Others to Court Over Awujale Stool
Just last week, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. next in line to produce the Awujale, submitted a list of 95 eligible candidates, comprising 94 princes and one princess.
The ruling house had subsequently transferred responsibility to the kingmakers to select the new Awujale from the list before the latest government intervention.
Explaining the rationale for the suspension, Hamzat stated: “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.”
The commissioner noted that the decision was taken in line with existing laws, emphasizing that the government acted with “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 further explained that the state “acted proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.”
Hamzat also directed that the decision be formally communicated to all parties involved, adding: “Therefore, the State Government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
