A new faction within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has declared itself the “Original” Fusengbuwa Ruling House as preparations intensify for the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland, following the passing of Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON, on July 13, 2025.
The declaration was made during a press briefing held at the Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Museum & Hall, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode, on Thursday. The new faction, led by Chief Fassy Yusuf, comprises the Jadiara Royal House, Bubiade Royal House, Tunwase Royal House, and the Fusengbuwa Royal House.
Chief Yusuf, who addressed journalists, explained that the appellation “Original” was adopted to distinguish the group without denying the membership of other family branches. He emphasized that the core purpose of the gathering was to announce the end of the mourning period for the late monarch, which will formally conclude on Sunday, October 11, 2025.
With the mourning period ending, he said the family must begin implementing the provisions of the Declaration made under Section 4 (2) of the Chiefs Law 1957, Customary Law Regulating the Selection to the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy. The declaration, which he read aloud, identifies the four ruling houses as Gbelegbuwa, Anikinlaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote, in that order of rotation.
He also clarified that succession may devolve through the female line in the absence of a qualified male, provided the candidate’s mother is a true-born (Abidagba). Responding to questions on the Folagbade Adenuga group’s claim of Abidagba status, Chief Yusuf maintained that Folagbade is not listed among the four ruling houses in the declaration, and therefore should align with its appropriate branch.
On the issue of leadership, he stated that the “Original” group has not yet announced a family head but is currently represented by himself as coordinator and Pastor Prince Bola Salami as secretary.
Membership registration forms and Expression of Interest forms for candidates aspiring to the Awujale stool were also unveiled at the briefing. While the forms are free, a voluntary support contribution of ₦2,000 was suggested for the family database registration.
Chief Yusuf also addressed the rift with Otunba Owoyemi, explaining that the earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between Dr. Adekunle Hassan’s group and Owoyemi had made the latter head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, with Yusuf as deputy and Salami as secretary. However, Owoyemi’s subsequent alignment with the Ajidagba branch violated the spirit of that agreement.
“The world is dynamic, change is imminent, and the dynamics of change may also change tomorrow,” Yusuf remarked. “But for now, this is the situation we have found ourselves.”
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