The family head of the Oloja Ejinrin descendants, Chief Adediran Taiwo Fetuga, has reaffirmed that Chief Ayodele Osisanya remains the family’s unanimously chosen and duly presented candidate for the vacant Jaginrin title of Ijebu-Ode, dismissing claims that the family produced multiple nominees.
Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday at the family palace in Idele, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Fetuga accused the interregnum committee of imposing a candidate on the family, stressing that such action runs contrary to long-established tradition.
According to Fetuga, the family formally presented only Osisanya to the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, whom he described as the sole authority empowered to install chiefs pending the installation of a new Awujale.
“From the beginning of the process, the family submitted only one name — Chief Ayodele Osisanya. At no time did we forward multiple candidates,” Fetuga said.
He explained that following a petition allegedly written by another individual, the family was invited to the palace, where they met members of the council, including Chief Balogun Adegoke.
“I informed the council that it was not their responsibility to choose a candidate for us, because the family had already completed that process. They agreed with us and asked that we return home and repeat the exercise,” he stated.
Fetuga said the family complied, and once again unanimously re-presented Osisanya as its nominee.
The family head further disclosed that another letter later surfaced on social media, purportedly written by a rival aspirant, prompting the family to formally ask the council to suspend any action on it.
“Subsequently, the Olisa Palace officially informed me that Chief Ayodele Osisanya had been appointed as the next Jaginrin. The appointment letter was sent to the council and the Ogun State Government,” he said.
He added that all prescribed rites were conducted at the palace, with remaining rites scheduled to take place at the family house.
“We were shocked to hear that an imposed candidate allegedly carried out seclusion rites outside our ancestral palace. This is unacceptable. We therefore call on the Ogun State Government to recognise and uphold the family’s duly nominated candidate,” Fetuga added.
Also speaking, Chief Ayodele Osisanya underscored the historical importance of the Jaginrin title, describing it as a prerequisite for the emergence of a new Awujale.
“The Jaginrin is a forerunner to the Awujale. That is why the process must strictly follow tradition,” he said.
Osisanya maintained that the Oloja Ejinrin family alone has the right to present a candidate through its recognised Olori Ebi, a position he said Chief Fetuga has occupied for over a decade.
“My nomination was duly submitted in response to a letter from the palace. Although my opponent is a family member, he lost the nomination and later petitioned the interregnum council,” Osisanya explained.
He said the family, out of respect for the council and the Ogun State Government, repeated the nomination process, which again produced him as the sole candidate.
“It is surprising that after this, another name could be presented and accepted in place of the family’s nominee,” he added.
Addressing reports of his alleged suspension by the Awujale Palace, Osisanya said he only learned of it through social media and has received no official communication.
“There is no basis for such suspension. This remains a family matter,” he said, while also dismissing allegations linking him to fraud as “false, malicious, and baseless.”
Another family elder, Chief Abayomi Adeola, blamed the interregnum council for the crisis, insisting it lacks the authority to select a Jaginrin for the family.
“No king chooses a Jaginrin. The Jaginrin performs rites for the Kabiyesi before he is pronounced king,” Adeola said.
The family has urged the Ogun State Government to intervene and ensure that tradition is respected and the family’s decision upheld.
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