Awujale: Compel Ogun Govt to complete selection process – Ruling house tells court

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has requested the Ogun State High Court to compel the state government to continue and finish the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland. The Awujale position became vacant after the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91. Over 95 individuals, including 94 princes and a princess from the Fusengbuwa ruling house, expressed interest in contesting the vacant stool.

However, the Ogun State Government canceled the selection process and ordered the ruling house to restart it in strict accordance with the law to prevent prolonged litigation. The government allowed the house to resume the process on January 6, 2026, but suspended it again on January 20, 2026, instructing all parties to await further directives to maintain peace and the integrity of the stool.

The ruling house subsequently filed a suit in the High Court of Justice, Ijebu Ode Judicial Division, challenging the lockdown of the Awujale Palace and seeking declarations that the interference was unlawful and the government lacked the legal authority to halt the selection process. The claimants also asked the court to declare the nomination process valid and that the kingmakers are legally obligated to select a candidate and forward their name to the State Executive Council.

Counsel to the claimants argued that the state's chieftaincy law requires a sequential process of nomination, selection, and approval once initiated. The case, marked HCJ/149/2026, is yet to be heard.