The race to ascend the throne of the Awujale of Ijebu Land has taken a litigious turn as Fuji music icon and the Olori Omooba of Ijebu Land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1), has formally petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun over his alleged exclusion from the selection process.
In a strongly worded letter dated January 8, 2026, authored by his legal representative, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, Ayinde accused the Fusengbuwa ruling house —the family next in line to produce the monarch—of orchestrating a process designed to sideline him.
The petition alleges that the ruling house has introduced internal directives that bypass the established Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021. According to the letter, the Ijebu Ode Local Government had authorized the selection process on January 6, but Ayinde claims the family leadership subsequently introduced “nomination cards” and a “delegate system” to filter candidates.
Expressing his client’s grievances, Shittu wrote: “It is a matter of deep concern to our client that all these directives, which contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration, Obas and Chiefs Law, and the letter from the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, were included in the family’s letter dated January 6, 2026.”
The legal team further argued that these measures are a calculated attempt to prevent certain aspirants from contesting: “It is clear that there are plans by the leadership of the ruling house to disenfranchise members desirous of participating in the nomination of candidates for the Awujale stool.”
While over 60 contestants have reportedly shown interest in the stool, the Fusengbuwa family has previously maintained that Ayinde is not a legitimate member of their ruling house. Ayinde’s counsel, however, insists that the nomination process should be open to all who claim membership.
“We wish to emphasize that all members of the ruling house are entitled to attend the meeting to nominate candidates of their choice,” the letter stated. “A group of people in the ruling house cannot usurp these rights. The directive providing for screening and nomination by delegates is inconsistent with both the spirit and letter of the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.”
The petition concluded with a plea for the state government to halt any perceived illegality: “In the interest of justice and compliance with due process, we urge timely intervention to address these concerns, ensuring the integrity of the process and protecting our client’s rights.”
The leadership of the Fusengbuwa ruling house has, however, dismissed the petition with high-level disdain. Speaking on Sunday, the Vice Chairman of the house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, characterized the legal move as “arrant nonsense” and insisted it would not stall the scheduled nomination meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Yusuf questioned the legal advice Ayinde was receiving, stating: “It is a misguided letter. Either Wahab Shittu is being misled, or Wasiu Ayinde is being misled. The letter was directed to the government, which will respond appropriately.”
Defending the use of a screening process, Yusuf cited the sheer size of the ruling house as a logistical necessity:
“The issue being raised about screening is illogical. We have over 20,000 members in the ruling house—how does he expect us to manage the crowd?”
The highly coveted Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the transition of Oba Sikiru Adetona. The late monarch, who passed away at 91, was one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning traditional rulers, having spent 65 years on the throne.
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