The Ogun State government on Wednesday halted the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebu land.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the government said that the selection process was halted due to the flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The statement partly reads “I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of ljebuland.
“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 SikiruAdetona, who reigned for sixty-five (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.
“In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empower 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 tothe Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
This will be the second time that the Ogun State Government, will be interfering in the process. The first was in mid-December 2025, when the selection process was halted with the state government citing procedural errors.
Meanwhile, the Awujale Kingmakers Council has announced the cancellation of a planned meet-and-greet earlier scheduled to be held at the Aafin Awujale, directing instead that Awujale nominees report to the Department of State Services office in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday by 11 am.
This was contained in a formal communication dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.
According to the notice, all Awujale nominees are required to present themselves at the DSS office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m. prompt.
The council stated that the decision led to the cancellation of the earlier engagement at the Aafin Awujale and expressed regret for any inconvenience the sudden change may cause.
The letter, signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, urged all concerned nominees to comply strictly with the directive and ensure punctuality.
The development is coming amid ongoing traditional processes surrounding Awujale-related nominations in Ijebuland. Further details on the outcome of the DSS engagement were not disclosed at the time of filing this report.
The letter partly reads “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled.
“Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at State Security Service (SSS) Along NTA Road, Beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, Off Igbeba Road,
Ijebu-Ode. Time: 11:00 a.m. prompt.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive.”
This is just as our correspondent, who is currently at Ijebu Ode, also observed deployment of heavy security, including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, at the Awujale palace.
