Awujale succession crisis deepens as Adele Council drags Abiodun, AIAC to court

The ongoing dispute over the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool has intensified, with the Adele Awujale-in-Council filing a lawsuit against Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and members of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC). The legal action, identified as HCJ/201/2026, was brought before the High Court of Ogun State in Ijebu-Ode by the Adele Awujale-in-Council, headed by Olo rgun Dr Sonny Kuku.

The council is contesting the formation and reformation of the AIAC by the governor and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. They seek a declaration from the court that, according to Ijebu-Ode native laws, custom, and tradition, the Adele Awujale-in-Council is the sole legitimate administrative authority for managing interim affairs during an interregnum.

The claimants also request the court to invalidate the AIAC's creation and member appointments, arguing that they are irregular, illegal, unconstitutional, and null. Furthermore, the council aims to obtain a perpetual injunction prohibiting the governor and others from interfering with the Adele Awujale-in-Council's customary functions and restraining AIAC members from holding meetings or claiming authority over Ijebu-Ode.

Kuku emphasized that the suit is not about the succession process, which is already in deliberation for a candidate from the 95 names submitted to the Afobajes. The lawsuit aims solely to safeguard the cultural heritage and ancestral traditions of Ijebu-Ode related to the Adele Awujale position. The succession crisis arose following Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona's transition as Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland in July 2025.

Initially, the state government created an interim administration in August 2025, but traditional leaders dissolved it and established the Adele Awujale-in-Council instead. The government subsequently announced a reconstituted AIAC, which traditional chiefs deemed an illegal affront to customary practices. The succession process has also faced challenges from other lawsuits, such as HCJ/149/2026 (Fusengbuwa Ruling House challenging Governor Abiodun and kingmakers over the selection process stoppage) and HCJ/167/2026 (a N1 billion defamation and leadership conflict within the same ruling house).

High-profile candidates, like Fuji musician K1, have also filed court challenges against alleged procedural breaches during the screening process. Although Governor Abiodun has assured a new Awujale before May 29, 2027, the Adele Awujale-in-Council insists that the rule of law and the stool's dignity should not be compromised for political reasons.