The Ogun State government, on Wednesday, halted the selection process for the Awujale of Ijebu land, the second suspension in less than a month, with a heavy deployment of security forces at the palace.
The PUNCH correspondent at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, observed heavy presence of policemen and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following the government’s directive.
The Awujale stool became vacant last 13 July after the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
In a statement, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat said that the government’s decision to halt the process was to protect public order, safeguard the integrity of the selection, and maintain the prestige of the stool.
He said: ‘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. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House should await further directives regarding the selection process’.
On 18 December 2025, the state government suspended the process over procedural errors, which it explained could trigger litigation.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had shortlisted 95 contestants — including 94 princes and one princess—during a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode.
The selection process attracted widespread interest, including from Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (popularly called KWAM1), who sought an interim injunction at the state high court to stop the selection process.
On Wednesday, the Regent and head of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Dr. Sonny Kuku confirmed that the government had temporarily paused the process.
He said: ‘Today, we received a message from the government indicating that the process has been temporarily halted. At the moment, we do not know the reason, but we are consulting with them to ensure that the process resumes because the general members of the public are waiting for the emergence of the new Awujale.
‘We will do our best to ensure that the process resumes because the general members of the public are waiting for the emergence of the new Awujale.
‘The kingmakers cannot say much at this time because we have a very onerous task. We are confident that the government is also interested in ensuring a peaceful outcome. We are consulting with them, and we believe that something will happen soon’.
On reports suggesting government interference, the co-founder of EKO Hospital, regent said that the kingmakers are unaware of any such move and that such reports should be treated as mere speculations.
He added that the kingmakers are fully aware of the weight of their responsibility and would therefore not betray the confidence reposed in them by tolerating any act of imposition.
Kuku further stated: ‘The government does not sit with the kingmakers during deliberations. We do not work with them directly, and as you know, in situations like this, there are always many rumours.
‘We try to separate fact from speculations. If any form of imposition occurs, we will certainly let the public know because we will not tolerate that. However, that has not happened’.
On the presence of heavy security personnel at the Awujale palace, Kuku said that it should not be viewed as an attempt to influence the process, but rather as a measure to inform the public that the selection process has been temporarily halted.
He explained: ‘The palace is a symbol of the people, and by barricading it, the authorities are making it clear that the process is temporarily in abeyance.
‘There is no physical or emotional conflict taking place. We hope the palace will be reopened very soon because we want to avoid any anxiety among the people. Our goal is peace, and that we shall achieve by God’s grace’.
Kuku also said that the kingmakers have not received any of the petitions reportedly written by stakeholders and security agencies regarding the Awujale selection process, which the government cited as the reason for halting it again on Wednesday.
The regent said: ‘If such petitions exist, they should be forwarded to us, but we have not received any. That is why we are consulting with the government. Once discussions are concluded, we will make a statement as quickly as possible. There is nothing to worry about.
‘As kingmakers, we are handling a very delicate responsibility. Our decisions can affect the lives of the people for centuries to come, so we are being extremely careful about what we do and say. We assure you that we will ensure peace and that the best person emerges as the next Awujale’.
The renowned medical doctor also dismissed claims that the kingmakers had been compromised or are favouring a particular candidate, saying they are instead working tirelessly to ensure that only the best candidate is selected.
Kuku said: ‘Let me be clear: we have not slept for five days. We are dealing with about 95 applications and over 1,200 documents, scrutinizing them meticulously.
‘We are working diligently to ensure we select the best possible candidate. If we were biased, we would not be spending sleepless nights reviewing documents so thoroughly.
‘We had planned to continue this process for several more days, and we are prepared for more sleepless nights. The criteria we have developed are meant to produce a leader who truly represents the people and will bring progress to the community.
‘We still expect a few more sleepless nights, but for now, we may be able to rest briefly before the process resumes’.
On Wednesday, the Department of State Security (DSS) confirmed that the 95 nominees were scheduled for profiling at their office in Ijebu-Ode. The exercise was planned to follow palace screening and run over several days to cover all nominees. The profiling is part of a comprehensive vetting process for aspirants to the Awujale stool.
The exercise was suspended in line with the state government’s directive halting the Awujale selection process. The DSS stressed that the suspension is a government decision and not an action initiated by the agency.
On Wednesday, KWAM1 wrote to the state government urging that the halted process be resumed inclusively, transparently, and fairly.
In a letter dated 21 January 2026, addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs by his counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu, Ayinde expressed appreciation to the government for suspending the process ‘in the interest of peace, order and good governance’.
He maintained that he is a qualified contender by virtue of his descent from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, tracing his lineage to Princess Anifowoshe, ‘an acknowledged princess’ of the ruling house. The letter noted that KWAM1’s family has long-standing recognition in Ijebuland’s traditional hierarchy and that he holds the traditional title of Olori-Omoba of Ijebuland.
He urged the government to ensure that no eligible contender is excluded when the process resumes, adding: ‘We respectfully urge the Ogun State Government that, upon the resumption of the Awujale selection process, such process should be all-inclusive, transparent and fair, and should consciously eschew any act or omission capable of excluding or disenfranchising our client. An inclusive process will promote unity within Ijebuland, enhance public confidence, and further entrench the prestige and legitimacy of the Awujale stool’.
The state government had earlier halted the process under powers contained in the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of 2021, citing procedural concerns and the need to preserve peace in Ijebuland.
