Fresh questions have emerged over the integrity of the Awujale of Ijebuland succession process following allegations that certain nominees were deliberately highlighted on the list submitted to kingmakers, raising concerns about possible preferential treatment.
The allegations were made by Chief Prof. Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, who addressed journalists while giving a detailed account of the events that led to the nomination of candidates for the revered traditional stool.
According to Prof. Yusuf, although the nomination exercise produced 95 valid candidates in line with the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, irregularities surfaced at the critical stage of collating and forwarding names to the kingmakers.
He alleged that the committee responsible for compiling the final list appeared to have “preferred candidates,” pointing to the discovery that some names were printed in bold for emphasis—an action he said was not part of the agreed procedure.
“There was no instruction, provision, or agreement that any name should be highlighted. Seeing some names in bold naturally raises questions,” Yusuf said.
Beyond the highlighted names, Prof. Yusuf also questioned the sudden introduction of exclusionary standards, including claims that aspirants who hold the Otunba title are ineligible to ascend the throne and assertions that only candidates described as Abidagba should be considered.
“As a lawyer, my contention is clear: these conditions are not contained in the Obas and Chiefs Law, they are discriminatory, and they offend constitutional principles,” he stated.
He explained that both the old and current laws merely state that preference may be given to an Abidagba where available, without excluding other qualified princes or princesses from either the male or female lineage.
Prof. Yusuf admitted that his signature appeared on the document containing the highlighted names but clarified that he signed it before noticing the markings.
“I signed the document before I noticed the highlighted names. Otherwise, I would have objected,” he said.
Fielding questions from journalists on how the allegedly compromised list could be remedied, Prof. Yusuf expressed
concern that meaningful amendments may not be possible without external intervention.
“It may be difficult to correct the list as it stands unless the appropriate authorities—particularly the traditional councils and government institutions responsible for chieftaincy affairs—order a fresh compilation and insist on strict compliance with the law,” he said.
Responding to public speculation that the unusually high number of candidates was linked to financial inducements, Yusuf rejected the claim and challenged anyone with evidence against him to present it publicly.
“If anyone has proof that I received money from any candidate, let them come forward. I can only speak for myself,” he said.
He warned that actions capable of undermining transparency could further erode confidence in the revered traditional institution.
“He who seeks equity must come with clean hands. What we are seeing in some quarters is unroyal and deeply troubling,” Yusuf added.
He confirmed that the Awujale succession process has since been suspended and that all parties are awaiting further directives from the Ogun State Government.
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