Governor Dapo Abiodun has ordered the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to halt their selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland, Ijebu-Ode.

Specifically, the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in a letter dated January 20, 2026, from the commissioner, Ganiyu Hamzat, addressed to the chairman of Ijebu-Ode LGA, Dare Alebiosu, stated that the decision was based on a security report.

“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land generally and in Ogun State particularly, where it is one of the paramount stools. Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool. These realities place a lot of focus, attention, and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.

“In this regard, the state government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies, and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time,” said the Abiodun administration.

It added, “In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provision of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empowers it to ‘set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so’. Thus, given the reports at its disposal, the government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order, and good government by halting the process in its entirety.

“Therefore, the state government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”

The Ogun government’s decision comes days after 94 princes and one princess from the Fusengbuwa ruling house emerged as contenders for the vacant stool during a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, on Monday.

Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde, who in October 2025 applied for the vacant stool, was in November 2025 disqualified by the Fusengbuwa ruling house from the selection process, prompting him to drag the Ogun government to court in December, seeking the suspension of the selection process and his inclusion among the contestants.