Awujale Stool: Fusengbuwa Ruling House Backs Leaders, Rejects Purported Removal
The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has passed a vote of confidence in its leadership and rejected the purported removal of its Chairman, Abdulateef Owoyemi, his deputy, Oladokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.
The decision was announced on Wednesday during a press briefing in Ijebu-Ode, following a growing dispute within the ruling house over the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
A faction of the family had reportedly removed the three leaders after a nine-member fact-finding committee investigated allegations of financial inducement, manipulation of documents and other irregularities linked to the selection process.
However, the Grand Council dismissed the committee as a “kangaroo committee”, insisting that its members had no authority to act on behalf of the ruling house.
The council also rejected allegations of financial inducement against its leadership, describing them as baseless and accusing those behind the allegations of attempting to damage the reputation of the family’s leaders and impose their own interests on the selection process.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Owoyemi said the ruling house had previously been divided into three factions but that the factions were reconciled following the intervention of the Ogun State Government.
He explained that following the reconciliation, he was elected Chairman and Olori-Ebi, Ajidagba became Deputy Chairman and Igbakeji Olori-Ebi, while Prof. Yusuf was elected Vice Chairman and Eta Olori-Ebi.
Owoyemi said Pastor Jeremiah Salami was appointed secretary, Alhaji Adebisi Quadri became treasurer, while Abiodun Ogidan was appointed publicity secretary.
According to him, the delegation that represented the three factions before the Ogun State Government consisted of four members from each faction, making 12 representatives. The group was later constituted into a management committee, with three additional members subsequently co-opted, bringing the Grand Council’s membership to 15.
He maintained that those behind the purported removal were not members of the Grand Council and therefore had no authority to convene meetings or establish committees on behalf of the ruling house.
Owoyemi accused the group of attempting to create division within the family and disrupt its claim to the Awujale throne.
He said the affected leaders had decided to seek legal redress over what they described as defamatory statements and other actions against them.
The council subsequently declared its continued support for Owoyemi, Ajidagba and Yusuf, affirming their integrity and ability to continue managing the affairs of the ruling house.
The family also urged the Ogun State Government and members of the public to disregard any resolution or allegation issued by the purported fact-finding committee.
Meanwhile, Owoyemi appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to lift the embargo placed on the Awujale selection process since January, saying the prolonged delay was creating unnecessary controversy within the ruling house.
Prof. Yusuf also called on the government to allow the kingmakers to resume the process, noting that the family had written an open letter to the state government in May asking it to allow the kingmakers to carry out their traditional responsibility.
Yusuf argued that the government had no legal authority to halt the selection process but said the family would continue to engage the government before considering other options.
However, the secretary of the fact-finding committee, Ridwan Oduneye, rejected the claims that the committee members were impostors or were working to undermine the ruling house leadership.
Oduneye said the group was acting to restore due process, unity and the integrity of the Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House.
He said their actions were based on the report of the fact-finding committee and a resolution reached at the general meeting of the ruling house on August 9, 2026.
According to him, the meeting was attended by 115 members drawn from the various lineages and resolved to remove Owoyemi, Ajidagba and Yusuf from their positions. He said Prince Adeleke Adeyemi was subsequently appointed interim secretary and authorised signatory pending the election of a new Olori-Ebi.
Oduneye also welcomed the decision of the other faction to pursue the matter in court, saying litigation would provide an opportunity for the issues surrounding the leadership dispute to be properly determined.
The latest disagreement is the latest development in the prolonged controversy surrounding the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.
The fact-finding committee was reportedly constituted in June following petitions alleging financial inducement and other irregularities against the three leaders in connection with the selection process.
In its report, the committee said only Owoyemi appeared before it, while Ajidagba and Yusuf declined its invitation. It also alleged a breakdown of unity and communication among the three leaders and questioned the transparency and due process followed in compiling and submitting the list of candidates for the vacant throne.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, after 65 years on the throne.
The Ogun State Government suspended the selection process in January 2026 following petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders. The process had earlier been suspended in December 2025 over procedural concerns.
A total of 95 aspirants, comprising 94 princes and one princess, emerged from the ruling house nomination exercise held in Ijebu-Ode in December before the government halted the process.
