The Fidipote Ruling House of Ijebu Ode has formally written to the Ijebu Ode Local Government and the Ogun State Government, requesting that it be allowed to present candidates for the vacant Awujale stool, citing the failure of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to meet the statutory deadline.
The two-page letter, co-signed by the Head and Secretary of the Fidipote Royal Family, Oba Tajudeen Omotayo and Omooba Tunde Aderibigbe, was addressed to the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government on Wednesday. A copy was made available to PUNCH Online.
In the letter, the family pointed out that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which was first entitled to submit candidates, did not comply within the 14 days prescribed under Section 15(1)(b) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, as well as the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.
“We respectfully refer to your letter dated December 2, 2025, with Reference No 10LG584/0/29, wherein the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was formally notified and invited to present candidate(s) for the vacant stool of Awujale in accordance with Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021. Take notice as follows: Section 16(1)(b) of the law mandatorily provides that a ruling house so entitled shall submit the name(s) of its candidate(s) not later than fourteen (14) days after the announcement by the Secretary of the competent council,” the letter read.
The Fidipote Ruling House further stated that the statutory period lapsed on December 16, 2025, without any submission from Fusengbuwa. “By virtue of Section 16(1)(c) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, where the ruling house first entitled fails to submit candidate(s) within the prescribed time, the next ruling house entitled under the order of rotation contained in the Declaration becomes legally entitled to present candidate(s). Under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959, the next ruling house after the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is the Fidipote Ruling House,” the letter added.
The family officially informed the authorities of its intention to submit candidates for consideration and screening by the kingmakers. It also invited the Secretary of the Local Government, or a designated representative, to observe its general meeting, scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Fidipote Royal Hall, 12 Fusigboye Street, Idewon Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, at 10 a.m.
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According to the Fidipote Ruling House, the meeting will formally allow aspiring candidates to express interest, undergo screening by eligible family members in line with customary law, and conduct voting to select candidates to forward to the kingmakers. “Pursuant to Section 16(1)(d) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, which authorises the presence of the Secretary of the Local Government or his duly authorised representative as an observer at meetings of ruling houses, we hereby cordially invite you to attend the General Meeting of the Fidipote Royal Family,” the letter read.
The family assured that the process would be conducted peacefully, transparently, and strictly in accordance with the law, established customs, and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959. Copies of the letter were also sent to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and other relevant authorities.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House recently postponed its nomination meeting for candidates for the vacant Awujale stool. Speaking exclusively with PUNCH, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, explained that the postponement followed an intervention by the state government to prevent procedural errors that could lead to litigation.
Owoyemi dismissed claims that the delay was linked to the Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, who is associated with the Fidipote Ruling House. KWAM 1 had declared interest in the stool but was reportedly denied the opportunity to contest as a member of the Jadiara family unit of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.