The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has reaffirmed its leadership structure and called for the conclusion of the process for the emergence of the next Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that the traditional selection process must be allowed to produce a single candidate before the government undertakes its statutory responsibilities.
The position was made public on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at a press conference in Ijebu-Ode addressed by the Chairman/Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdulateef A. Owoyemi.
The development followed a purported meeting on Sunday, August 9, 2026, during which some members of the ruling house allegedly announced the removal of Owoyemi, Deputy Chairman/Deputy Olori-Ebi, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman/Eta Olori-Ebi, Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D.
The Grand Council rejected the purported decision, describing those behind it as lacking the authority to remove the recognised leadership or constitute committees on behalf of the ruling house.
Owoyemi explained that the Fusengbuwa family had previously operated in three factions until the intervention of the Ogun State Government brought the factions together for a reconciliation and unification process.
He said the process resulted in his emergence as Chairman/Olori-Ebi, with Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba as Deputy Chairman/Igbakeji Olori-Ebi and Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D., as Vice Chairman/Eta Olori-Ebi.
Other members of the leadership, according to him, are Pastor Prince Jeremiah Bola Salami, Secretary; Alhaji Adebisi Quadri, Treasurer; and Omoba Abiodun Ogidan, Public Relations Officer.
Owoyemi said the delegation that represented the three factions in the process comprised four delegates from each faction, making 12 representatives. He said the 12 were subsequently constituted into a Management Committee, while three other members were later co-opted, bringing the Grand Council to 15 members.
He maintained that those responsible for the purported removal were not members of the Grand Council and therefore lacked the authority to convene a meeting or establish a committee capable of changing the leadership of the ruling house.
Speaking on the stage reached in the Awujale succession process, Owoyemi said the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had completed its responsibility and submitted the result to the kingmakers.
He said the present disagreement was therefore not attributable to the recognised leadership of the ruling house.
According to him, the next stage requires the relevant authorities to proceed with their responsibilities, with the government eventually undertaking the necessary statutory process and making the appropriate appointment within a reasonable period.
He called for the process to move forward rather than be unnecessarily prolonged.
Responding to questions from journalists on what the family expected from the Ogun State Government, Vice Chairman, Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D., said the government had been asked to expedite action so that the process would not linger unnecessarily.
Yusuf, however, stressed that the government does not have the authority to alter or conduct the traditional selection process.
He maintained that the traditional process must first be respected and allowed to run its course, while the government performs its responsibilities within the statutory framework.
Owoyemi also rejected reports suggesting that three candidates had been selected for the final stage of the process, describing such reports as speculation.
He reiterated that the position of the recognised leadership was that the relevant traditional process should ultimately produce one candidate, whose name would then be transmitted to the government.
He also rejected the suggestion that an individual kingmaker could independently select or impose a candidate, insisting that the process should be undertaken in accordance with the established traditional procedure.
During the question-and-answer session, a member of the family also questioned the authority of the committee that allegedly claimed to have removed the three recognised leaders.
The family member stressed that the three senior leaders remained the authentic leadership of the ruling house and were the persons who convened the relevant family meeting and initiated the selection process.
The Grand Council consequently maintained that any committee established outside the recognised structure could not validly act on behalf of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Owoyemi disclosed that the Grand Council had passed a vote of confidence in himself, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba and Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D.
He also said legal steps were being taken over alleged defamatory statements and other conduct attributed to those challenging the leadership.
The council further urged the government and members of the public to disregard resolutions or allegations emanating from what it described as the opposing group.
The Chairman appealed to mainstream and social media practitioners to exercise caution in reporting the dispute, urging them to verify information directly with the people involved.
He said the media should not rely on speculation or unverified claims, particularly on matters capable of damaging the reputation of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Owoyemi urged journalists to ensure that information is properly verified before publication and, where verification is not possible, to leave such information out of their reports.
The press conference was attended by members and representatives of other royal families and senior members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Those present included Prince Adekunle Adenugba of the Folagbade Family; Biodun Sonibare, representing Prince Rasaq Sonibare; Alhaji Yusuf Olaide of the Bubiade Royal House; Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi; Deputy Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Family, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba; Head of the Jadiara Family, Prince Akiila Odedina; Alhaji Mutiu Adenuga; Pastor Prince Bola Salami, among others.
The Fusengbuwa leadership maintained that the traditional selection process should be allowed to proceed in accordance with the established procedure and called on all parties involved to discharge their respective responsibilities.
It also urged the Ogun State Government to facilitate the statutory aspects of the process without altering the traditional selection procedure, with a view to bringing the succession process to a conclusion within a reasonable time.
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