Fusengbuwa Ruling House warns against interference in the Awujale selection process, insisting succession must follow tradition and due process
The Fusengbuwa Royal Ruling House on Wednesday warned against political interference, financial inducement and intimidation in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that the revered stool must be filled strictly in line with age-long customs and traditions.
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Speaking on Arise News in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the spokesman of the ruling house, Prince Tunde Ogidan, said any attempt to influence the Awujale selection process would violate Ijebu tradition and undermine the sanctity of the throne.
Prince Ogidan said the Awujale stool remains a sacred traditional institution whose succession procedure has been guided for generations by established customs.
He attributed the rising tension and protests around the process to misinformation and poor understanding of how the exercise is conducted, explaining that the family initially chose silence to observe unfolding events.
Prince Ogidan said the unusually high number of aspirants, estimated at between 95 and 100, was due to the long interval since the Fusengbuwa ruling house last produced an Awujale.
He explained that over nearly a century, the family expanded across several generations, producing many eligible descendants.
Addressing concerns about transparency, Prince Ogidan said the screening of aspirants was carried out strictly by the ruling house in line with the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, not by the kingmakers.
He said all submitted documents were screened by the family, sealed in the presence of security agencies and formally handed over to the Afobajes, the recognised kingmakers.
Dismissing claims of division within the Fusengbuwa family, Prince Ogidan said earlier disagreements had been resolved and that the ruling house now speaks with one voice.
He added that statutory timelines contained in the 2022 Chieftaincy Law made it impossible to restart the screening exercise after reconciliation.
On allegations that aspirants were asked to pay ₦10 million, Prince Ogidan acknowledged that contributions were initially discussed to cover logistics but said the proposal was later dropped and all payments refunded.
He stressed that while culturally acceptable gifts to elders exist in Ijebu tradition, bribery or inducement intended to influence the Awujale selection process would not be tolerated.
Prince Ogidan also criticised the suspension of activities at the palace, describing the closure of the palace gate as an abomination that deprives the people of access to their traditional institution.
Responding to claims that some nominees were omitted from the list, he said documentation would determine eligibility, noting that spelling errors or name variations could be corrected during interviews.
He emphasised that no candidate could be imposed, stating that the process involves interviews, traditional rites and final legal confirmation by the Ogun State Government.
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Prince Ogidan urged the state government to allow the kingmakers to perform their duties without interference, expressing confidence that adherence to due process would ensure a peaceful and legitimate transition.
