Ogun rejects Awujale nomination letter, insisting the selection process remains suspended despite claims five princes were nominated

The Ogun State Government on Thursday dismissed a purported letter allegedly written by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, concerning the nomination of five princes for the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool, insisting that the selection process remains under suspension.

Also read: Five princes nominated for Awujale of Ijebuland throne

Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, made the clarification in Abeokuta, saying the document circulating online should be disregarded because it did not follow the legally recognised procedure for communicating decisions relating to the appointment of a traditional ruler.

The controversial letter, dated April 14 and reportedly acknowledged on June 15, claimed that kingmakers had, in line with the Chiefs Law of 1957 and customary succession procedures, shortlisted five princes from whom the state government could choose the next Awujale.

The document listed Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye, Prince Isiaq Ayodele Adewale Adekoya (Eleruja), Prince Onabanjo Abimbola John, Prince Oluwaseun Waheed Omopenu Onanuga and Prince Olabode Onanuga as nominees for consideration.

According to the purported correspondence, Chief Adesanya urged Governor Abiodun to make a final selection from the list.

However, Akinmade said the letter carried no legal weight and did not alter the government’s earlier decision to suspend the succession process.

“The position of the law is that the letter that will convey the decision of the kingmakers when it has to do with selection of king will be from the local government to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and not through any individual.

The letter is of no consequence and the members of the public should disregard it,” Akinmade said.

He added that no official communication had been issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to indicate any change in the government’s position.

“As long as the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is yet to issue any contrary statement, it shows that nothing has changed with the position of the government on the selection of Awujale as it has been for over five months,” he stated.

In a significant development, Chief Adesanya distanced himself from the letter and denied any involvement in its preparation or circulation.

“I don’t know anything about the letter you are talking about, I am not a party to that, I am not a party to any letter.

There are lots of people who may just want to tarnish my reputation, but I don’t know anything about this letter,” the traditional chief said.

The Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, also said he had no knowledge of the document when contacted.

The controversy comes amid lingering uncertainty over the succession to one of Nigeria’s most revered traditional institutions.

In January, the Ogun State Government halted the process of selecting a new Awujale, citing a wave of petitions, heightened tensions among stakeholders and reports of procedural irregularities flagged by security agencies.

The suspension was intended to allow authorities to review concerns surrounding the process and ensure that any eventual selection complies with established legal and customary requirements.

The Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July 2025. Oba Adetona, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential monarchs, died at the age of 91 after an extraordinary 65-year reign that transformed Ijebuland and strengthened the institution of traditional leadership across the country.

Also read: Awujale stool: Chief imam urges Ogun governor to act before ileya

With the selection process still officially on hold, the Ogun State Government has maintained that any legitimate communication regarding the emergence of a new Awujale must come through recognised statutory channels, underscoring its determination to ensure a transparent and credible succession process.