The Ogun State Government has ordered an immediate halt to the ongoing selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland, citing multiple petitions, security reports, and the need to safeguard peace and the integrity of the historic traditional stool.
The directive, conveyed in a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, was signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
According to the government, the decision followed mounting concerns from stakeholders over the selection exercise, which has drawn intense public attention due to the prominence of the Awujale stool in Yoruba land and across Ogun State.
“The Awujale of Ijebuland occupies one of the foremost and most respected traditional stools in the South-West, a stature further cemented by the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose 65-year reign significantly enhanced the modern prestige and influence of the throne,” the statement read.
The letter disclosed that the state government had received numerous petitions, alongside reports from security agencies and other critical stakeholders, regarding irregularities and tensions surrounding the process. In view of these developments, the government deemed it necessary to suspend the exercise to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Hon. Hamzat emphasised that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empowers the government to intervene in traditional appointments to preserve peace, order, and good governance. He noted that the government acted proactively to prevent escalation, insisting that the suspension serves the broader interest of Ijebuland and the state.
In compliance with the directive, the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman has been instructed to communicate the government’s decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. Members of the ruling house have been advised to suspend all activities relating to the selection process and await further instructions from the state authorities.
The development effectively places the appointment of a new Awujale on hold, pending further review and guidance from the Ogun State Government. Stakeholders and residents of Ijebuland are now left anticipating the next steps in the resolution of the matter.
