The long-awaited process to produce a new Awujale of Ijebuland has slid into a fresh stalemate, following a stop-order by the Ogun State Government, a security build-up around the Awujale palace, and the sudden relocation of an anticipated kingmakers’ engagement to the Department of State Services, DSS, office in Ijebu-Ode.
Although a number of aspirants to the Awujale throne showed up Wednesday at the DSS office in Ijebu-Ode, there was neither a meeting nor a screening of candidates.
Credible sources said the recourse to DSS was a ploy by Governor Dapo Abiodun to impose his choice candidate as the new Awujale when the kingmakers are yet to finalise their choice.
A record 95 aspirants showed interest in the throne but 85 were eventually found eligible.
At the centre of the impasse are competing pressures on the traditional selection process—including a “flood of petitions” cited by government, standard security vetting steps that now appear suspended, and heightened public scrutiny around who succeeds the late monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose 65-year reign ended with his death in 2025.
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In a directive signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the Ogun State Government Wednesday ordered that the selection process be halted “forthwith”, citing petitions and reports from security agencies and other stakeholders, and invoking powers under the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021 to set aside an appointment if required for peace and order.
Reports on Wednesday cited heavy deployment of security operatives—including police and NSCDC—around the Awujale palace in Ijebu-Ode as the stop-order took effect.
As uncertainty spread, the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council cancelled a planned meet-and-greet at the Aafin Awujale and instructed nominees to report instead to the DSS office along NTA Road by 11 a.m., according to a letter dated Jan. 20, 2026 and signed by the council secretary, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja.
The directive to appear at DSS office was linked to profiling and vetting, but the succession activities were ultimately suspended following the state government’s circular which emerged after kingmakers rebuffed Governor Abiodun’s intervention.
The Awujale Interregnum Council chairman and head of kingmakers, Chief Sonny Kuku, said the council was in touch with the Ogun State Government to understand why the process was stopped, adding that kingmakers had already begun reviewing submitted applications and documents before the interruption.
Kuku also pushed back on rumours of state interference, saying the government does not sit with kingmakers during deliberations and that any attempt at imposition would be resisted and made public.
The succession contest has drawn intense interest since the death of Oba Adetona. At the last count, 95 contestants (94 princes and one princess) emerged from the Fusengbuwa ruling house nomination process earlier this month.
The process has also faced legal and procedural controversy, including petitions challenging aspects of the nomination approach (including the use of a delegate system) and warnings that perceived irregularities could trigger extended litigation.
A credible source said Wednesday night:
“Governor Dapo Abiodun summoned them last night for a meeting that held till early hours of this morning.
He informed them about Hon Ademorin Kuye is the preferred choice from HQ and also his candidate. He then directed the Afobajes to present him as the Awujale.
“The council of Afobajes expressly rejected the directive, insisting on due process.They said HQ should tell them by himself not through anybody.The Governor got angry and said ‘No Kuye No Awujale’.
“Unfortunately, he got the greatest shock of his life from the Afobajes. They replied him by saying they prefer Ijebu without Awujale than allow Kuye to be imposed on them using the name of HQ to intimidate them.”
Crediblenewsng.com
