Members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode on Friday took to the streets of the Ijebu Ode metropolis to register their displeasure over an alleged plan to impose a candidate on the family in the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebu land.
Fusengbuwa, one of the four ruling houses of Ijebu Ode, is next in line to fill the vacant Awujale stool.
The stool became vacant in July last year following the demise of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Fusengbuwa say no to imposition”, “Let Ifa oracle determine the next Awujale”, “Let the kingmakers do their job; we say no to imposition”, among others.
The family members, who started their protest from Odo Egbo roundabout, walked through Awujale Palace/Itale Road to the secretariat of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Itooro, where they were received by the LG chairman, Dare Alebiosu.
Speaking on behalf of the ruling house, Mrs Adejugba Obileye said the protest aimed to demand the reopening of the palace and to urge the government to stay clear of any imposition plot.
Obileye stated that the ruling house, next in line to fill the vacant stool, and the kingmakers were already following traditional and legal processes to select the best candidate. She emphasised that the Awujale stool is sacred and should not be sacrificed for political or pecuniary considerations.
Obileye, who is also the Aremobinrin Jadiara, said, “We are at the Ijebu Ode Local Government secretariat to register our displeasure over the closure of the palace and the alleged plan to impose the next Awujale on us.
“Fusengbuwa ruling house rejects any plan of imposition. The Awujale stool is sacred and should not be filled for political considerations.
“We don’t want a political Awujale. The Ijebu kingdom has a rich cultural heritage that should not be undermined. We have the Ifa oracle in our family, so the government should allow it to select the right candidate, rather than impose a foreigner.
“The government should allow the kingmakers to do their job. We are not against the government, but there should be no unnecessary interference in the ongoing selection process.”
Also speaking, Olubunmi Adesanya, another member of the ruling house, urged the government to respect the traditional selection process, “We plead with the government not to impose the next Awujale on us. The kingmakers and the Ifa oracle should be allowed to select the candidate. We reject imposition in every form and request our chairman to convey this to the government.”
The Obajelu of Imoko and priest of the Agemo masquerade, High Chief Adekunle Talabi, while speaking on behalf of traditionalists, also called on the government to distance itself from any alleged imposition plan.
“I urge our governor to allow the right thing to be done. Imposition is unacceptable. The Fusengbuwa ruling house and the kingmakers should be allowed to pick the next Awujale.
“Traditionalists are unhappy with the alleged plan, and we beg the government to shelve it and let matters proceed according to tradition.”
Addressing the protesters, the Local Government Chairman, Dare Alebiosu, dismissed the allegations of government interference. He said the palace had been reopened since Thursday and promised to relay their concerns to the governor.
“The palace has been reopened. Regarding the alleged imposition, there is nothing like that, but I will convey your request to the seat of authority in Abeokuta. The government is not interested in interfering with the kingmakers.
“I urge you to return home and ensure your peaceful protest is not hijacked by hoodlums. Your concerns will reach the governor.”
Earlier, the state government, through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, halted the Awujale selection process due to a flood of petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
This decision reportedly raised tension, with some alleging that the government intended to pave the way for imposition.
However, the state government, through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Abiodun, Mr Kayode Akinmade, dismissed these claims as baseless. He said the governor remained committed to upholding due process, respecting traditional institutions’ autonomy, and ensuring a fair selection of the next Awujale.
The regent and head of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Dr Sonny Kuku, assured the public that the kingmakers would not tolerate any imposition:
“Kingmakers have been working tirelessly, scrutinising over 1,200 documents from not fewer than 95 candidates. These sleepless nights are to ensure the best candidate emerges. Reports of government interference are mere speculation.
“The kingmakers are aware of their responsibilities and will not betray public trust. The government’s decision to halt the selection process should not cause worry; we are in touch and will meet soon to resolve any grey areas.”
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