Ogun State Government Issues Warning Over Awujale Succession Process

The Ogun State government has issued a formal warning to groups and individuals it accuses of spreading misinformation regarding the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland. According to a statement from the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, the administration is taking a firm stance against what it characterizes as media-led campaigns intended to exert undue pressure on the state’s decision-making.

Background on the Succession Dispute

The position of the Awujale of Ijebuland became vacant following the passing of the late monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona. The state government maintains that it has consistently recognized the Fusengbuwa Ruling House as the entity entitled to nominate a successor. However, the government reported that internal divisions within the ruling house necessitated state intervention.

According to the Attorney-General, the government discovered that the ruling house was operating under three distinct family heads. Furthermore, reports surfaced that nomination forms for the stool were being sold to aspirants for as much as ₦10 million. In response, the government held a meeting with the family on November 6, 2025, to mandate a resolution of these internal leadership disputes.

Government Intervention and Compliance

Ogungbade stated that the government’s intervention was aimed at ensuring the process remained transparent and legally sound. Following the government’s directive, the family reportedly agreed to:

• Unify under a single recognized family head.
• Abolish the collection of candidature fees.
• Refund payments already collected from aspirants.

The Attorney-General emphasized that these actions were not intended to infringe upon the rights of the Fusengbuwa family, but rather to uphold the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.

Legal Warnings and Future Implications

The state government has explicitly distinguished between legitimate public advocacy and what it terms “media blackmail.” Citing Section 61 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, the Attorney-General warned that actions intended to interfere with the governor’s official duties could result in legal consequences, including a potential three-year prison sentence.

The government reiterated that it retains the statutory authority to oversee the appointment of traditional rulers and may reject candidates if the interests of good governance are not met. While the government maintains it respects traditional succession customs, it has signaled that it will pursue legal remedies against those it believes are deliberately disseminating misleading reports to undermine the process.

Conclusion

As the succession process continues, the Ogun State government remains firm in its position that the emergence of the next Awujale must adhere strictly to established laws and principles of fairness. Whether these warnings will quell the ongoing public discourse surrounding the stool remains to be seen as the state continues to monitor the situation.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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