A total of 95 aspirants—94 princes and a single princess—from the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode have officially emerged as contenders for the vacant Awujale throne, the paramount seat of Ijebu land in Ogun State.
The aspirants were formally nominated on Monday during a meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode. The proceedings were led by the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, with his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, in attendance. Officials from Ijebu Ode Local Government, including Secretary Mr. Abiodun Oke, observed the process.
Among the aspirants are notable figures such as Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of former Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital, Dr. Kunle Hassan; and Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction. The sole female contender is lawyer Mrs. Oluwakemi Onanuga.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away at the age of 91 after a historic 65-year reign.
At the nomination meeting, each candidate was represented by two relatives—one to propose and the other to second the nomination—before their names were formally registered and accepted by the family.
Speaking with journalists, Otunba Owoyemi praised the ruling house members for conducting themselves peacefully, describing the process as smooth and harmonious.
“We thank God that what we feared has come and gone peacefully,” he said. “We have successfully and harmoniously nominated 95 candidates. It is now left for the kingmakers to conscientiously select one of them as the next Awujale.”
Owoyemi emphasized that the family consulted extensively, including traditional divination, to ensure the eventual Awujale would advance the unity and progress of Ijebu land. He expressed confidence that the kingmakers would select a candidate divinely destined for the throne and noted that a new Awujale should be crowned within a month.
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All aspirants reportedly signed undertakings to accept the outcome of the selection process and avoid litigation. “We trust that the government will act in line with tradition and due process in confirming the next Awujale,” Owoyemi added.
The selection process has attracted national attention, particularly following the declaration of interest by popular Fuji musician Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. However, the Fusengbuwa ruling house clarified that Ayinde is not a member of the family and therefore ineligible to participate.
Ayinde subsequently approached a state High Court in Ijebu Ode seeking an interim injunction to halt the process, but the court dismissed the request, ruling it lacked merit. The lawsuit was later withdrawn to allow the musician to re-strategize, according to his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN).
In a letter dated January 8, 2026, addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Shittu raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the nomination process. The letter claimed that instructions issued by the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Ademuyiwa, regarding screening and nominations were inconsistent with the Chieftaincy Declaration, the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State (2021), and a letter from the Ijebu Ode Local Government authorizing the process. The lawyer warned that the purported exclusion of certain family members, including his client, could trigger a crisis.
Responding, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, confirmed receipt of the letter but dismissed it as “misguided” and of no consequence to the ongoing selection.