By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
An 80-year-old matriarch and respected member of the Ijebu royal lineage, Princess Sidikat Onasanya (nee Adebisi), has declared that the next Awujale of Ijebuland should rightfully emerge from either the Olufadi or Tunwase royal families of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Mrs. Onasanya, the eldest child of the late Prince Fasasi Adebisi Adeyemi, popularly known as Obanlefa within the Ijebu-Ode royal circle, made this assertion through a press release presented to our correspondent on 22nd October, 2025.
She hinged her position on what she described as historical, oral, and gazette facts that clearly outline the royal succession procedure within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode.
According to her, “The Ijebu-Ode royal gazette is clear. If no princes worthy of the Awujale stool are ready and available from the Abidagba Okurin lineage of the Olufadi or Tunwase families, then princes from the Abidagba Obirin lineage may be considered, followed by those from the Abidoye lineage,” she explained.
Madam Onasanya noted that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House comprises eight family units; with Olufadi and Tunwase representing the two male Abidagba Okurin lineages, and Shenowo, Okunyandewo, Adebiyi, and Adeberu representing the four Abidagba Obirin lineages.
She added that two lineages born before her great-great-great-grandfather, Fusengbuwa, ascended the Awujale stool, Oshinuga and Adekenu; represent the two Abidoye lineages.
Recounting the genealogy, Princess Onasanya said Fusengbuwa had eight wives and eight children (Idi-Igi Mejo). Two were born before he ascended the throne, Osinuga and Adekenu; while six were born after he became Awujale in 1790.
She said, “The first male child born on the throne was Olufadekemi, known as Olufadi, followed by Ali Adesimbo, later known as Tunwase. These are the first legitimate royal sons of Fusengbuwa,” she narrated.
Asserting further, she noted that her late father, Prince Fasasi Adebisi Adeyemi Obanlefa, served as Olori Ebi (head of the family) of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House for 25 years (1988–2013). During his tenure, he worked closely with the immediate past Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, before his passing at the age of 96 on February 19, 2013.
Princess Onasanya also traced earlier Awujale successions within the Fusengbuwa family, recalling that a legitimate descendant of Ali Adesimbo Tunwase, Folagbade Adenuga, became Awujale in 1925 but was later dethroned. Subsequently, the Olufadi line, represented by her great-grandfather, Oduwole Obanlefa, was considered for the throne until objections arose regarding consecutive candidates emerging from the same ruling house.
“In 1929, my great-grandfather, the late Oduwole Obanlefa, was nominated as the next Awujale. It was the Fidipote family that opposed the decision, and instead, Oba Fibiwoga was appointed in the same year as a replacement for Tunwase.”
“The Tunwase family has undeniably ruled as Awujale in Ijebu; it is now the turn of Olufadi, the descendants of Obanlefa, to be considered,” she said.
Reaffirming her stance, Princess Sidikat stated that the Ile-Nla compound recognizes that only the Olufadi and Tunwase families have legitimate claims to the Awujale stool, unless there are no surviving male princes within their lines.
From a cultural and historical standpoint, she added, Olufadi, as the first male child born on the throne, should be given precedence. This, she said, would also conform with the 1959 Chiefs Law.
She added that the Fusengbuwa family remains one of the most expansive in Ijebu-Ode, accounting for nearly 40% of the town’s royal descendants.
“If things are to be done properly and according to our tradition, the next Awujale should come from Olufadi’s lineage, as even the late Oba Adetona himself often acknowledged,” she concluded.
