Leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, have renewed their resolve to pursue the succession of the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, declaring that the ruling house remains united despite the prolonged controversy surrounding the selection process.
The declaration followed an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses of the ruling house held on Saturday at Ile Nla (Agunsebi), Ijebu-Ode.
The meeting brought together members from different branches of the Fusengbuwa family to receive updates on the stalled process and deliberate on the legal action taken by the ruling house over the dispute.
It was co-chaired by the Chairman and Head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House Family, Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi; his Deputy, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf.
The leadership briefed the gathering on developments surrounding the selection process, including the decision to approach the court over the continued delay.
The meeting also reviewed the circumstances surrounding the suit instituted against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, nine members of the Ijebu-Ode kingmakers and five other defendants.
The ruling house is seeking, among other reliefs, an order compelling the defendants to allow the succession process to proceed to its conclusion.
At the end of the deliberations, the assembled princes and princesses endorsed the decisions already taken by the leadership and expressed confidence in the ability of the three-man leadership to continue to represent the interests of the ruling house.
Speaking after the meeting, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the gathering was necessary to ensure that members were properly informed about developments and understood the actions being taken by the leadership.
He said the turnout was significant because members travelled from Lagos and other locations to participate in the deliberations, describing their presence as evidence that the family had remained cohesive despite the controversy surrounding the succession.
“The large attendance is an attestation of unity. The house is united. Princes and princesses came from Lagos and other places. They supported our decision and they have confidence in our leadership and the things we are doing,” Owoyemi said.
He said the immediate concern of the leadership was to protect the interests of the ruling house and ensure that the succession process was not derailed.
“The meeting was called to update and brief members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House about the stalled selection process for the next Awujale and the steps we have taken to address the issue,” he said.
Owoyemi, however, expressed concern over what he described as efforts by some individuals to frustrate the ruling house from completing its role in the succession process.
He alleged that prolonged disruption could eventually create a situation in which the eligibility of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce the next monarch might be questioned.
“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they will come back to say our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale again,” he said.
The ruling house leadership maintained that its court action was not intended to create further controversy but to secure an opportunity for the established succession process to continue in accordance with the law.
The leaders also urged members of the family to resist provocation and remain focused as the legal proceedings continue, stressing that the ruling house would pursue its position through lawful and constitutional channels.
The renewed position of the family comes against the backdrop of the prolonged vacancy of the Awujale stool following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July 2025 after 65 years on the throne.
The succession process subsequently became embroiled in controversy after the nomination exercise conducted by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House produced 95 aspirants, comprising 94 princes and one princess.
The Ogun State Government later halted the process, citing petitions from security agencies and stakeholders, a decision that the ruling house has challenged in court.
The legal battle has now become a major component of the wider dispute over the succession process, with the ruling house insisting that its statutory role should be respected and the process allowed to run its course.
Saturday’s enlarged meeting ended with a renewed show of support for the ruling house leadership, with members reaffirming their commitment to the decisions taken so far and their determination to remain united in the quest to produce the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
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