The Ogun State Government has suspended the ongoing process to select a new Awujale of Ijebuland, citing petitions from stakeholders, security reports, and concerns over public order and the sanctity of the revered royal stool.
The decision comes weeks after Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, the veteran Fuji musician popularly known as KWAM 1, submitted a petition to the Ogun State Executive Council. In his petition, KWAM 1 called for the nullification of the January 12, 2026 nomination exercise for the Awujale of Ijebuland, raising objections to the procedure adopted in the selection process.
According to the state government, KWAM 1’s petition was only one among several complaints received from concerned stakeholders, traditional interests, and security agencies. These concerns reportedly prompted the government to reassess the process to prevent tension and possible unrest within Ijebuland.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ganiyu Hamzat, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the suspension was a proactive step taken in the interest of peace, stability, and good governance. He explained that the government acted to safeguard public order and maintain confidence in the traditional institution.
Hamzat referenced the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which grants the State Executive Council the authority to set aside or suspend a chieftaincy appointment when such action is deemed necessary in the public interest.
The commissioner also noted that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, ruled for over 65 years and significantly elevated the status, influence, and modern prestige of the Awujale stool. As a result, he said, the selection of his successor has attracted intense national attention, making it imperative for the process to be transparent, credible, and widely accepted.
As part of the directive, Hamzat instructed the Chairman of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area to formally communicate the suspension to the Awujale Kingmakers Council as well as the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. He advised all parties involved to halt further actions and await additional instructions from the state government.
However, the statement did not disclose specific details about the petitions or security reports that led to the suspension, nor did it indicate when the selection process might resume.
The development has further highlighted the sensitivity surrounding traditional rulership succession in Ogun State, particularly in Ijebuland, where the Awujale stool holds deep cultural, historical, and political significance.
