The Chairman (Olori Ebi) of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Otunba Abdullateef Adebayo Owoyemi, has broken his silence on the raging controversies, political intrigues, and public speculation surrounding the suspended Awujale succession process, declaring unequivocally that neither President Bola Tinubu nor Governor Dapo Abiodun is imposing any candidate.
Owoyemi who is also Otunba Jadiara of Ijebuland, however, vowed that that that no amount of pressure or inducement would make him compromise the integrity of the selection process.
The former President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria(ICAN) made these revelations during an exclusive appearance on Frontline, a current affairs programme aired on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, on Thursday.
The stool of Awujale of Ijebuland became vacant with the demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba 11, who joined his ancestors on July 13, 2025 at 91 after 65 years reign on the throne. Efforts aimed at selecting a successor – Awujale has been mired in multiple setbacks.
The Daily Crucible reports that the Awujale succession process was suspended by the Ogun State Government on January 21, 2026, following what officials described as multiple petitions, rising tensions, and security concerns, a decision that has since generated intense debate, conspiracy theories, and political interpretations both within and outside Ijebuland.
However, Owoyemi revealed that, contrary to widespread public belief, neither he nor the Fusengbuwa ruling house has been formally served with any petition regarding the selection process.
According to him, while government officials referenced the existence of several petitions, none was officially presented for his response, a development he described as both curious and deeply frustrating.
“Let me be very clear. People keep talking about petitions. You mentioned petitions. But up till today, I have not seen any petition. Nobody has served me any petition. Nobody has served the Fusengbuwa ruling house any petition. I have not been given any document to respond to. So, when people say there are petitions, I ask: where are they?”
Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), explained that during his meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders, he deliberately refrained from aggressively demanding the alleged petitions in order not to escalate tensions.
“If I had insisted that they must show me petitions, the discussion would have collapsed. My interest was not to argue but to find a way forward. I was more concerned about how to resolve the crisis than how to trade accusations.”
He further clarified that security investigations, if any, must not be used as justification to suspend a traditional process that has both constitutional and cultural backing.
“If anybody has committed any criminal offence, let the government investigate. That is their responsibility. They can investigate for one year, two years, even ten years. But that should not stop the traditional process of appointing an Awujale. You cannot suspend culture and history because of allegations.”
Why 95 Candidates Emerged: Inside the Financial and Administrative Breakdown
One of the most controversial elements of the entire succession process is the unprecedented emergence of 95 aspirants, a figure widely regarded as the highest in the history of Ijebu traditional rulership.
Owoyemi traced this development to government intervention that dismantled an earlier regulatory framework put in place by the ruling house.
He explained that anticipating intense interest in the revered Awujale stool, the ruling house introduced a ₦10 million administrative and logistical fee, not as a commercial charge, but as a screening and organizational tool.
“We knew this stool would attract a massive number of aspirants. We are talking about one of the most powerful traditional stools in Yorubaland. So, we introduced a financial threshold, not to enrich ourselves, but to regulate the process, limit unserious interest, and cover unavoidable logistics.”
Owoyemi detailed that the funds were meant to cover, Ritual processes, Rehabilitation of the sacred Odo seclusion facility, Administrative documentation and Security arrangements.
Initially, only 12 aspirants paid the fee, effectively streamlining the process.
However, following complaints and political pressure, the Ogun State Government directed the ruling house to refund all payments and allow free application.
“We refunded every single kobo within three days. Every payment was returned. Nothing was shared. Nothing was diverted. Once that restriction was removed, applications started pouring in uncontrollably, and before we knew it, the number had risen to 95.”
He added pointedly:
“Ironically, the same people who forced the refund are now complaining about the number. You cannot dismantle a regulatory mechanism and then complain about chaos.”
Legal Path to Reducing the Number: The Law Is Clear
Owoyemi emphasized that the Fusengbuwa ruling house has no legal authority to screen, shortlist, or disqualify candidates, stressing that only the kingmakers possess that constitutional and traditional mandate.
However, he pointed to Section 15(1)(b)(3) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State (2021), which strictly limits eligibility to direct descendants of former Awujales from the ruling house.
“There have been four Awujales from our ruling house. The law is explicit. If you cannot trace your bloodline directly to any of these four monarchs, your aspiration collapses legally. But it is not my duty to enforce that. It is the kingmakers who will do the screening.”
He warned that any unilateral action by him could plunge the process into prolonged litigation.
“If I remove anybody’s name, they will drag me to court immediately. And once court begins, you can forget about crowning an Awujale for the next ten years. That is why I strictly stayed within my constitutional boundaries.”
K1 The Ultimate Controversy: ‘He Is Not a Member of Our House’
Addressing one of the most sensational elements of the succession crisis, Owoyemi offered an unusually detailed account of why Fuji star K1 The Ultimate was ruled ineligible.
According to him, membership of the Fusengbuwa ruling house is not symbolic, casual, or declarative, but governed by strict genealogical, cultural, and ritual procedures.
“You don’t wake up and declare yourself a member of this ruling house. There is a formal lineage verification process. Your ancestry must be traced, confirmed, and validated by recognized family heads. You must be screened by elders, and you must perform traditional oath rites.”
He said K1 submitted an application, but the endorsement attached to his documents failed verification.
“The person who signed as his family head is not recognized by our ruling house. We investigated thoroughly. We cross-checked. The elders sat on it extensively. The conclusion was unanimous: he does not belong to the Fusengbuwa ruling house.”
Owoyemi added:
“Every legitimate member must swear an oath of allegiance. That process was not fulfilled in his case. These are not political decisions; they are cultural, legal, and historical.”
On President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun, and the Kunle Kuye Allegations
Perhaps the most politically sensitive segment of the interview revolved around allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is backing Kunle Kuye as a preferred candidate.
Owoyemi dismissed these claims in strong, unequivocal terms.
“Let me say this clearly and publicly: the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has never called me, never sent anybody to me, never instructed me, and never pressured me to impose Kunle Kuye or any other person as Awujale. At no time did President Bola Ahmed Tinubu interfere in this process.”
He equally exonerated Governor Dapo Abiodun of political imposition.
“The Governor has never asked me to impose any candidate. What he wants is peace, stability, and a credible process. That is all.”
Owoyemi, however, acknowledged that intense political lobbying is inevitable, given the prestige of the Awujale stool.
“People came. Politicians came. Influential Nigerians came. They made offers. They made promises. They brought inducements. But I told them clearly: I cannot sell this stool. If I take from one person, I must take from all. And once I do that, I lose my honour, my integrity, and my ancestral mandate.”
Internal Leadership Crisis: Why He Chose Peace Over Litigation
Owoyemi also addressed internal disputes within the Fusengbuwa ruling house, particularly leadership claims by Prince Adetokun Ajidagba and Professor Fassy Yusuf.
He traced the crisis to legal ambiguities in historical chieftaincy declarations, noting that despite being affirmed as the legitimate Olori Ebi by the Court of Appeal, he deliberately avoided triumphalism.
“I could have gone to court and buried everybody in litigation. But if we had done that, this selection would not happen in our lifetime. I chose patience, reconciliation, and compromise, even when I was insulted, misrepresented, and attacked.”
Caller Interventions: Public Anxiety, Suspicion, and Demand for Transparency
The programme generated massive public engagement, with callers across Ogun State and beyond raising concerns about political manipulation, financial corruption, and elite conspiracy.
One caller from Ijebu-Igbo questioned the credibility of a process that produced 95 candidates, asking whether the ruling house had lost control.
Owoyemi responded:
“This number is not a reflection of failure; it is a reflection of what happens when regulation is removed. Once the financial and administrative structure collapsed, everybody rushed in. That is not disorder; that is human nature.”
Another caller from Sagamu expressed fear that powerful political interests were plotting to hijack the stool.
Owoyemi replied:
“I understand the fear. But I want to assure the people of Ijebuland that this process is protected by law, tradition, and divine oath. No politician, no billionaire, no godfather can override the kingmakers.”
A third caller demanded to know whether bribery had been offered.
Owoyemi answered bluntly:
“Yes, inducements were offered. But I rejected all of them. My oath, my conscience, and my family name will not allow me to sell history.”
…’I Will Not Betray This House’
In perhaps the most emotional moment of the interview, Owoyemi reaffirmed his loyalty to the ancestral trust placed upon him.
“I swore before my ancestors that I would never betray this house. That oath is heavier than money. It is heavier than power. It is heavier than politics. I will leave this position with my integrity intact.”
The Awujale stool became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, whose reign spanned more than six decades and fundamentally reshaped Ijebuland’s political, economic, and cultural influence.
His passing has triggered one of the most complex, politically charged, and legally intricate traditional succession processes in contemporary Yoruba history, blending tradition, law, politics, power, and identity in a single contest.
