Ogun State government has cancelled the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The vice chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Fassy Yusuf, confirmed the development in an interview with Punch on Wednesday.
The Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died in July at the age of 91 after a 65 year reign.
In a letter dated December 2 and signed by the secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Oke Adebanjo, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was directed to produce the next Awujale.
The ruling house was given 14 days to conclude the process and submit names of eligible candidates.
Following the directive, the ruling house began the selection process, which reportedly attracted about 60 princes and fixed Monday, December 15, for the screening of aspirants.
However, the exercise was suspended after the state government invited representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee to a meeting on Tuesday.
It was learnt that the meeting was convened to ensure compliance with existing chieftaincy laws.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, which was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, Yusuf said the government directed that the entire process should be restarted.
He said the earlier process was cancelled due to procedural errors that could lead to litigation over the installation of a new Awujale.
Yusuf said the intervention was not unusual, noting that stakeholders agreed on the need to comply strictly with the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration governing the Awujale stool.
“The meeting with the government was to ensure that everything falls in place,” Yusuf said.
“The government wants us to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale.
“So, very soon, we are going to receive another letter from the local government and begin the process afresh. The earlier letter, which gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, has been withdrawn.
“The family will meet, review the situation, and take it from there. We have to follow the guidelines laid down by the government.
“The government initially issued a letter signalling the commencement of the process, but a procedural error was later discovered. To avoid unnecessary litigation, we have agreed to start all over again.
“After all, we have not submitted any list of candidates to the kingmakers, so there is really nothing to worry about.”
A senior state government official, who attended the meeting but spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the suspension of the process.
The official dismissed claims of government interference, saying the meeting was held to address errors in how the process was initiated by the local government.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the meeting was not about government interference, as some people want to believe,” the source said.
“It was about ensuring that the right thing is done in accordance with the law.
“The local government jumped the gun in the way it initiated the selection process. It did not follow the guidelines provided under the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 chieftaincy declaration for the Awujale stool.
“We have advised all parties on the proper procedure to follow so that everyone is on the same page and unnecessary litigation is avoided. Some people are already watching closely and are eager to exploit any procedural error to go to court.
“To properly commence the process, the ruling house must first formally notify the local government of its readiness. The local government will then write to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which will authorise the commencement of the selection process.
“The meeting was chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Given that the Awujale’s installation has remained unchanged for the past 65 years, it is understandable that some officials may not be fully familiar with the procedure. This is unlike other communities where such installations have occurred several times within the same period.”
