The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned all nominees vying for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, escalating tensions in the ongoing succession dispute following the death of the long-reigning Oba Sikiru Adetona last year.
The summons, directed at contestants from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, prompted the Awujale Kingmakers Council to abruptly cancel a scheduled meet-and-greet session at the Aafin Awujale palace in Ijebu-Ode.
In a statement dated January 20, 2026, the council instructed the nominees, including key figures addressed to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House leadership such as Chairman Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, Deputy Otunba Dokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman Prof. Fassy Yusuf to report instead to the DSS office along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital off Igbeba Road in Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m. that day.The council's letter, signed by Secretary Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, expressed regret for the inconvenience and emphasized strict compliance and punctuality.
The directive effectively redirected the nominees from the palace engagement to the security agency's facility amid growing concerns over the selection process.This development follows the Ogun State Government's decision, announced on the same day by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ganiyu Hamzat, to halt the entire selection process.
The suspension was based on multiple petitions, security reports, and stakeholder inputs, aimed at preserving public order, protecting the process's integrity, and upholding the reverence of the stool.
The government invoked provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, to intervene proactively in the interest of peace and good governance.This marks the second time the state has paused the succession exercise for the paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in rotational line, had recently submitted a list of 95 cleared candidates, 94 princes and one princess—for consideration by the kingmakers before the latest interruptions.
The race to succeed Oba Adetona, who ruled for 65 years until his passing, has been characterized by intense competition, allegations of irregularities, exclusions, and legal challenges, including petitions from aspirants like Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), who claimed unfair disqualification.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com