After Oba Adetona: Concerns Rise as KWAM 1 Enters Contest for Awujale Throne
Controversy as Fuji Star Declares for Awujale of Ijebuland — Can Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) Live Up to the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona?
Legacy of Oba Adetona: A Benchmark in Ijebuland’s History
When Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona ascended the Awujale throne on 2 April 1960 at age 26, he embarked on what would become one of the longest and most consequential reigns in recent Nigerian history.
Over 65 years, until his death at 91 on 13 July 2025, Oba Adetona combined royal heritage with modern education (having studied accountancy in the United Kingdom) to guide Ijebuland into a period of cultural renaissance, economic growth, and social development.
He oversaw the transformation of the kingdom’s institutions: under his reign the traditional festivals, notably Ojude Oba, attracted national and international attention; initiatives in education and governance included endowing a professorial chair in good governance and establishing the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance.
Oba Adetona’s legacy hinged not simply on longevity, but on dignity, stability, continuity — and earning respect for the Awujale stool not only among his subjects in Ijebuland, but among Yoruba peers and the Nigerian polity at large.
KWAM 1: Talent, Fame – and Recent Controversy
Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate, is a titan of the Fuji music scene in Nigeria. His decades-long career — beginning in youth and rising with celebrated albums like “Talazo ’84” — made him a household name and endowed him with a large following.
However, his public image recently took a major hit. On 5 August 2025, KWAM 1 was involved in a serious incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he blocked a commercial aircraft — standing in front of the plane and obstructing its movement after a dispute over a flask suspected to hold alcohol.
The outcome was swift: the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) blacklisted him from commercial flights for six months, and two pilots from the airline had their licenses suspended for breaching safety protocols. The incident triggered debates about impunity, public safety, and standards for high-profile individuals — a stain on the singer’s public image and a cause for concern about his judgment. His use of alcohol and erratic behaviour earned him the reputation of an anti-social character. There is no available information about his educational background or charitable deeds. There is no history of a first class King in yorubaland who is a musician. Yorubas usually place musicians in the category of entertainers to keep the King and the people amused.
What the Throne of Awujale Demands — and Why KWAM 1’s Bid Raises Red Flags
The position of Awujale of Ijebuland is more than a ceremonial title. It is a role steeped in centuries-old tradition, ancestral legitimacy, and the weighty responsibility to uphold the dignity and unity of a people whose influence stretches beyond Ijebu Ode — a region with significant entrepreneurs, VIPs and socio-economic potentials. The holder must command respect, embody decorum, preserve traditions and provide visionary leadership.
Given that lineage and character matter deeply, the candidacy of KWAM 1 must be evaluated with the kingdom’s legacy in mind. Yes — he brings fame, resources and popular appeal. But recent behaviour raises serious concerns about temperament, respect for regulation, and public image.
Accepting a claimant primarily on the basis of wealth or celebrity could erode the sanctity and respect of the Awujale throne — a dangerous precedent after decades of a reign built on dignity, service, and measured leadership.
Why Ijebuland’s Key Decision-Makers Should Pause and Reflect
Before endorsing any aspirant — celebrity or otherwise — the kingmakers and community elders must remember:
The Awujale chair demands more than popularity: it requires moral integrity, respect for tradition, ability to represent the kingdom with honour and to lead by example.
Recent incidents involving KWAM 1 have attracted national condemnation and raised legitimate questions about his judgment and respect for protocol. Accepting such a figure without due scrutiny risks undermining decades of goodwill and respect built under Oba Adetona.
Ijebuland’s future depends on a ruler who can preserve its heritage, command national respect, and ensure the throne remains a unifying symbol — not a transactional title distributed for money or social clout.
Conclusion: The Throne’s Legacy — A Warning and a Call to Responsibility
The death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona closes a chapter of dignity, stability and progressive leadership for Ijebuland. As the kingdom prepares to choose his successor, the responsibility is enormous. The selection should not be trivialized by wealth or celebrity.
If the throne is to continue commanding respect across Nigeria, the next Awujale must embody the weight of history, the respect of tradition, and the discipline befitting a paramount monarch. For now, the candidacy of KWAM 1 — however popular — should be held to the highest standards, and any decision-makers who prioritise financial gratification or mere fame over character and legacy should be reminded: once the throne loses its dignity, the respect of the people — and the nation — may be lost too.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
