The Baamofin of Ijebuland and Ogun State, Barrister AbdulWasiu Oduwole, spected legal luminary in Ijebu-Ode, has appealed to all levels of government to remain neutral in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland. He also warned the kingmakers to avoid any form of corruption as the succession process begins.
Oduwole made the call during an interview with journalists at his office in Degun, Ijebu-Ode. He emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the established laws guiding the ascension to the Awujale throne, noting that history would remember the roles played by both officials and kingmakers.
He reaffirmed that the Chiefs Law of 1957 governs the process, providing for rotation among the four ruling houses while recognizing both male and female lines – including children born before or during their father’s reign. He described the Ijebu-Ode kingmakers as credible and reputable individuals, expressing confidence that they would act in accordance with the law.
Oduwole also commended the Fusengbuwa ruling house for conducting themselves with dignity as the process begins. He praised the leadership of the family and urged them to maintain decorum and cooperate fully with the kingmakers.
He noted that the arrival of the staff of office to the family signals the official commencement of the succession process. Traditionally, he explained, the authority is handed over to the ruling house, which must then work with the kingmakers to present a candidate for the throne.
“The law is flexible, if a candidate cannot be found from the male line, the female line may be considered. The door is not closed to women; a male child from the female line is also qualified. The determining factor is legitimacy within the ruling house, not gender.
“The rotational structure for the Awujale stool has been in place since 1957. There is a declaration that clearly outlines the rotation among the ruling houses and the procedures for selecting a new Awujale.
“Everything must be done strictly in line with the law, the declaration, and the established customs relating to the ascension of an Awujale. Everyone must comply. I believe the family and the kingmakers will abide by these provisions.
“The government has no direct role at this stage; it is solely the responsibility of the family and kingmakers to produce a candidate, who will then be presented for government approval.”
Speaking on the documents recently distributed to the kingmakers and family heads, Oduwole explained that he acted on the instructions of the late Prince Adebisi Obanlefa, former Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa ruling house.
“In 1995, the late Baba Obanlefa entrusted some papers to me with clear instructions that if he passed on before the turn of the Fusengbuwa family to produce the Awujale, I should hand them over to the family.
“I have now fulfilled that promise. I released the documents in my custody to the current heads of the family to guide them in the selection of a new candidate. One important point is that there are three sections recognized under the law for succession; the Abidagba Male, the Abidagba Female, and the Abidoye.”
He revealed that he once worked closely with the late Obanlefa to retrieve archival documents from Abeokuta containing records of the Fusengbuwa family and the four ruling houses in Ijebu-Ode. He obtained certified true copies of the records, which he said are vital to the Awujale institution.
Oduwole reiterated his call for the kingmakers to avoid corruption, stressing that they must produce a qualified candidate with unquestionable integrity.
“The kingmakers must avoid corruption, as the immediate past Awujale also warned. No moneybag should be allowed to hijack the process. Their responsibility is sacred, and they must act in the best interest of Ijebuland. The process must run naturally and with integrity.
“For the government, I urge neutrality. The government must not influence the kingmakers or interfere through political power. And to the contestants, I wish them all well.”
