The succession process for the Awujale of Ijebuland has moved to the courtroom following a suit filed by Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to halt the nomination and installation of a new monarch over alleged breaches of Ogun State chieftaincy laws.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ayinde approached the Ogun State High Court, Ijebu-Ode, on December 16, requesting an injunction to stop all succession activities pending the determination of the substantive issues in his suit. He listed as respondents the Ogun State Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
In his application, Ayinde claimed he is a bona fide member of both the Fusengbuwa and Fidipote ruling houses and argued that his rights as a potential candidate were being threatened by what he described as a flawed and unlawful process. He alleged that the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, which he termed an “unrecognised body,” was exerting undue influence over the nomination process in violation of established chieftaincy laws.
Central to his suit is the claim that due process was not followed, particularly the requirement that the Ijebu-Ode Local Government must formally publish the names of the 13 recognised kingmakers before any selection exercise begins. Ayinde maintained that the failure to comply with this statutory requirement rendered the entire process legally vulnerable.
The legal action follows the vacancy created by the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July at the age of 91, after a reign spanning more than six decades. Ayinde had formally declared interest in the throne earlier in December, a move that generated public debate over his lineage and eligibility. He insisted that the late Awujale would not have conferred on him the title of Olori Omo-Oba if he were not of recognised royal descent.
Days after the suit was filed, the Ogun State Government announced the cancellation of the ongoing selection process. Confirming the development, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, said the government ordered a restart after identifying procedural lapses that could trigger litigation.
“The government wants us to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale,” Yusuf said.
“The earlier letter, which gave the ruling house 14 days to submit candidates, has been withdrawn. We are going to begin the process afresh.”
A senior state government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intervention was meant to correct how the process was initiated by the local government.
“It was about ensuring that the right thing is done in accordance with the law,” the official said, adding that the meeting was convened to prevent “unnecessary litigation.”
Meanwhile, the Fidipote Ruling House, historically linked to KWAM 1, has formally written to both the local government and the state, asserting its right to present candidates after the Fusengbuwa family allegedly failed to meet the statutory deadline.
In its letter, the Fidipote family stated:
“The said statutory period of fourteen days lapsed on 16th December, 2025, without the submission of any candidate(s) by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. By virtue of Section 16(1)(c) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, where the ruling house first entitled fails to submit candidate(s) within the prescribed time, the next ruling house entitled under the order of rotation becomes legally entitled to present candidate(s).”
