By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Renowned Ijebu-Ode based cleric and President of Pentecostal Sanctuary Bible Ministries, Prophet Sunday Dare Iyunade, has called on all Ijebu sons and daughters to commit the process of selecting the next Awujale of Ijebuland into God’s hands to ensure the emergence of a God-fearing monarch who will be a blessing to the Ijebu nation, both at home and in the diaspora.
The stool of Awujale of Ijebuland became vacant July 13, 2025 with the demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba 11, who joined his ancestors at 91 after 65 years reign on the throne.
Bids by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the next in line to produce the next Awujale, and the kingmakers, to select the successor – Awujale have been mired in hitches as Governor Dapo Abiodun – led government suspended the process in two separate instances, first citing procedural error and later the flood of petitions from some aggrieved individuals as reasons for stopping the royal family and the kingmakers from continuing with the nomination process.
Iyunade decried a situation in which no fewer than 94 princes and one princess have been listed as nominees for the revered Awujale stool, noting that the people have inadvertently turned the race for the throne into what looked like a political contest due to the sheer number of candidates vying for the number one traditional rulership position in Ijebuland.
He spoke while fielding questions during a press briefing ahead of a weeklong activities – rally, revival, ministers’ and workers’ conference, praise night, ordination and thanksgiving service schedule for March 22 through March 29, 2026 to mark the church’s 30th anniversary and its 24th annual convention at the ministry’s headquarters in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The cleric noted that the Ijebu throne has historically contributed to the growth and stability of Nigeria, stressing that its occupant must be someone capable of restoring the honour, dignity, and influence associated with the royal institution.
Iyunade also called on other stakeholders to pray for God’s intervention in the process, expressing hope that the right person would emerge as the next traditional ruler of the Ijebu people.
According to him, divine direction should prevail in the selection, while also influencing the government and relevant authorities to choose the most suitable candidate who will uphold the legacy and prestige of the Ijebu monarchy
“We must all pray that God should choose a God-fearing person that will be a blessing to the land so that the crown could attract honour to the land.
“The Ijebu throne has in the past contributed to the growth of Nigeria. We should pray for God to install a king that will restore the honour of the throne. God should prevail and influence the government to choose the best for the land,” he said.
On the national scene, the cleric, however, predicted a major economic turnaround for Nigeria, declaring that the nation is on the verge of an “explosion of wealth and sustained growth.”
Iyunade said he had earlier predicted before the last general election that Nigeria would experience improvement after the emergence of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Looking deeply into the 2027 general elections, Iyunade predicted that the Coalition movement of politicians seeking to wrest power from President Tinubu is going no where, saying it lacks both “capacity and sustainability” to bring about a change of administration in the country.
He said though there are good Nigerians among members of the coalition, the drivers are largely the problems of the country.
According to the cleric, Nigeria will witness gradual economic recovery and increasing prosperity with President Tinubu on the saddle.
“In preparation for the last general election, I told you that out of three lepers, one of them is preferred and chosen by God and that things will improve.The economy of Nigeria will bounce back. Harvest is coming in Nigeria; it will just spring up.
“I saw daily improvement and growth in the economy. As this government continues, wealth is coming back to Nigeria and there will be an explosion of wealth in the country. I believe God heard the prayers of Christians,” he sad.
He urged Nigerians to put national interest above ethnic considerations, stressing that patriotism would help unlock the nation’s potential.
“Nigerians need to drop ethnic bias and promote patriotism as the nation’s economy booms abundantly,” he said. “There is great hope for our nation and Nigeria will experience progress.”
Iyunnade also dismissed predictions of the country’s disintegration, insisting that Nigeria would remain united.
“God will disappoint all those who gave negative prophecies about Nigeria such as the breakup of the country,” he said.
“Nigeria can have divided interests but not separation. For now, Nigeria cannot be divided because it is not part of God’s agenda for the country.”
He described secessionist agitation as a “wishful thinking and wasteful investment,” advising groups across the country to focus instead on economic development.
“All groups should rather invest positively in developing their regions rather than investing in a vain agenda of separating from the country. They should invest in technology to boost the economy of their regions.”
He warned that any region supporting secession could face economic setbacks.
“Any region that supports secession will hinder itself and continue to experience economic recession,” he said.
The cleric also spoke about developments in the northern part of the country, saying there could be internal divisions in the region’s traditional power structure.
“Northern caliphate will be divided and there will be more division among them,” he said. “Let us pray for them so that it does not affect other parts of the country.”
Turning to Ogun State, Iyunnade called on residents and indigenes to seek divine intervention for the state’s economic advancement.
“Every indigene and resident must pray for God’s mercy so that Ogun State can become an industrial hub of Nigeria,” he said.
He also urged prayers for the emergence of a God-fearing monarch in Ijebuland whenever the throne becomes vacant.
“We must all pray that God should choose a God-fearing person who will be a blessing to the land so that the crown can attract honour,” he said. “The Ijebu throne has in the past contributed to the growth of Nigeria.”
Iyunnade added that the next occupant of the throne should be one who would restore the dignity of the traditional institution.
“We should pray for God to install a king that will restore the honour of the throne. God should prevail and influence the government to choose the best for the land,” he said.
