The contest for the next Awujale of Ijebuland has been full of whispers, speculation, and plenty of hallway debates. But every now and then, something happens that helps everyone see things a bit more clearly—like the recent clarification from Fassy Yusuf, one of the most respected elders in the entire Fusengbuwa ruling dynasty.
Fassy Yusuf made it clear that he is the newly elected Vice Chairman of the Family-General Fusengbuwa and the recognized head of the Tunwase, Bubiade and Jadiara families, but he is not throwing his weight behind any particular aspirant. And in a race where every statement is analyzed like a political manifesto, that clarity changes a lot.
“Fassy Yusuf’s clarification didn’t weaken any candidate—it simply reset the conversation.”
For some people, this took the wind out of the assumption that Hassan had some “secret endorsement.” But for others, it actually strengthened his relevance—because now the conversation can return to his profile, not speculation.
And whether people admit it openly or not, Dr. Adekunle Hassan remains one of the strongest names in the palace race. Yes, the age debate keeps popping up, but that argument might not hold as much weight as people think. Traditionalists are quick to remind anyone who cares to listen that longevity isn’t determined by age, and the Ifa oracle does not consider age when making spiritual selections. As they say in Ijebu, “what is good for the geese is also good for the ganders.”
Plus, history itself supports this. The late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona—one of the most respected monarchs in modern Nigerian history—ascended the throne at just 26. Interestingly, he wasn’t even the person originally picked by the Ifa oracle. His father was the chosen one, but the elderly man stepped aside because he felt the throne’s demands were too heavy for him at that age.
The Ifa oracle does not consider age; it considers destiny.
But there was another reason he stepped aside, which many young Ijebus don’t know: the elders wanted an educated Oba who could engage the colonial authorities of that era with confidence and intellect.
It is on record that in April 1960, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was the Premier of Western Region. The practice of exclusion was very strong that Ijebu leaders decided to ensure an educated king in the next selection.
The year 1960 is significant because it was the same year Nigeria achieved independence. Oba Adetona’s enthronement coincided with Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to a sovereign nation, a period that saw traditional rulers playing a crucial role in both governance and cultural .
So the throne moved to the young, educated Sikiru Adetona—and the rest became a historic 64-year reign.
This little piece of history quietly mirrors today’s conversation. People want someone who is qualified, experienced, and globally respected—and Dr. Adekunle Hassan, an accomplished eye surgeon with decades of leadership, naturally falls into those conversations.
So even without endorsements, political noise, or family drama, his name remains strong in the palace corridors. And in a selection process where culture, spirituality, pedigree, and destiny all mix together, anything can happen.
But what’s clear is this:
The more the air gets cleared, the more people are beginning to see that Dr. Hassan is still very much in the center of the conversation—age debate or not.
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