The Ogun State Government has again halted the Awujale of Ijebuland selection process, deploying heavy security at the palace in Ijebu Ode

The Ogun State Government on Wednesday halted the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland, marking the second suspension in less than a month, as heavy security presence was deployed to the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode.

Also read: Awujale kingmakers cancel meeting, direct nominees to DSS

Our correspondent observed a large deployment of police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the palace, following a directive from the state government.

The revered Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away at the age of 91 after a remarkable 65-year reign.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the state government said the decision to halt the process was taken to preserve public order, protect the integrity of the selection exercise and safeguard the prestige of the Awujale stool.

“Given the reports at its disposal, the government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety,” Hamzat said.

He added that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House should await further directives from the government regarding the continuation of the selection process.

This latest development comes barely weeks after the government, on December 18, 2025, suspended the exercise over procedural lapses that could potentially lead to litigation.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had earlier shortlisted 95 contestants—94 princes and one princess—during a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode.

The selection process has continued to attract widespread attention, including from Fuji musician Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, who reportedly sought an interim injunction at the state high court to halt the process.

Confirming the suspension, the Regent and Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Dr. Sonny Kuku, said the kingmakers received official communication from the government on Wednesday indicating that the process had been temporarily halted.

“Today, we received a message from the government indicating that the process has been temporarily halted.

At the moment, we do not know the reason, but we are consulting with them to ensure the process resumes because the general members of the public are waiting for the emergence of the new Awujale,” Kuku said.

He stressed that the kingmakers remained committed to a peaceful and credible process, dismissing claims of government interference or imposition.

“The government does not sit with the kingmakers during deliberations. We do not work with them directly, and reports of interference should be treated as speculation,” he added.

On the heavy security presence at the palace, Kuku explained that it was merely to signal to the public that the selection process had been placed on hold, not an attempt to influence deliberations.

“There is no physical or emotional conflict taking place. Our goal is peace, and that we shall achieve by God’s grace,” he said.

Kuku also revealed that the kingmakers had not received any of the petitions reportedly submitted by stakeholders or security agencies, which the government cited as part of its reasons for halting the process.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services confirmed that the 95 nominees had been scheduled for profiling at its Ijebu Ode office as part of the vetting process, but the exercise was suspended in compliance with the government’s directive.

In a related development, one of the contenders for the Awujale stool, Mr. Wasiu Adewale Olasunkanmi Adesanya, has written to the Ogun State Government, urging that the selection process be resumed in an inclusive, transparent and fair manner.

In a letter dated January 21, 2026, signed by his counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, Adesanya commended the government for suspending the process in the interest of peace and good governance, while calling for assurances that no qualified contender would be excluded when the exercise resumes.

Also read: Fusengbuwa submits candidates, Awujale race nears end

The Ogun State Government has maintained that its actions are guided by the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021 and aimed at ensuring peace and legitimacy in the eventual emergence of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.