The Baamofin of Ijebuland and Ogun State, Barrister AbdulWasiu Oduwole, has called on all levels of government to remain neutral in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland. He also urged the kingmakers to strictly avoid corruption as the succession process begins.
Speaking to journalists at his Degun office in Ijebu-Ode, Oduwole emphasized the importance of adhering to the established laws guiding ascension to the Awujale throne, noting that history will remember the roles played by officials and kingmakers.
He reaffirmed that the Chiefs Law of 1957 governs the process, mandating rotation among the four ruling houses and recognizing both male and female lines, including children born before or during their father’s reign. He described the kingmakers as credible individuals, confident they would act according to the law.
Oduwole commended the Fusengbuwa ruling house for maintaining dignity at the start of the succession process, praising the family’s leadership and urging full cooperation with the kingmakers. He noted that the arrival of the staff of office signals the official commencement of the process, with the ruling house working alongside kingmakers to present a candidate for the throne.
“The law is flexible,” Oduwole said. “If a candidate cannot be found from the male line, the female line may be considered. The door is not closed to women; a male child from the female line is also qualified. The determining factor is legitimacy within the ruling house, not gender.”
He stressed that the rotational structure for the Awujale stool has been in place since 1957 and that all steps must strictly follow the law, the declaration, and established customs. He added that the government has no direct role at this stage; it is the responsibility of the family and kingmakers to produce a candidate for government approval.
Regarding documents recently distributed to the kingmakers and family heads, Oduwole explained that he acted on instructions from the late Prince Adebisi Obanlefa, former Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa ruling house. “In 1995, the late Baba Obanlefa entrusted some papers to me with clear instructions that if he passed on before the turn of the Fusengbuwa family, I should hand them over to the family. I have now fulfilled that promise,” he said.
Oduwole highlighted the three sections recognized under the law for succession: the Abidagba Male, the Abidagba Female, and the Abidoye. He also recalled retrieving archival records from Abeokuta alongside the late Obanlefa, obtaining certified true copies vital to the Awujale institution.
He reiterated the call for kingmakers to avoid corruption, stressing their sacred responsibility to produce a candidate of unquestionable integrity. “No moneybag should hijack the process. The government must remain neutral. To the contestants, I wish them all well,” Oduwole concluded.
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