Ogun State Reconstitutes Awujale Interregnum Council Amid Succession Disputes

The Ogun State Government has moved to stabilize the administration of Ijebuland by reconstituting the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC). This decision, announced by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, serves as a formal assertion of the state’s authority to oversee traditional and administrative duties during the vacancy of the Awujale stool.

Context of the Reconstitution

The AIAC was originally established in August 2025 to ensure continuity in governance following the passing of the previous monarch. However, the council recently faced internal friction, with reports indicating that several members attempted to withdraw from the body. These members reportedly aligned themselves with a group known as the Adele Oba Awujale.

In response to these developments, the state government clarified that the withdrawal of individual members does not dissolve the council. According to the government, the AIAC remains the sole legally recognized body empowered to manage the affairs of the region until a new Awujale is appointed and crowned.

Legal Standing and the ‘Adele Oba’ Group

A significant portion of the government’s statement focused on the legal status of the Adele Oba Awujale group. Officials stated that this body possesses no legal or customary recognition under the current Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

The government further addressed arguments raised by former council members who reportedly cited the pre-independence Chiefs Law of 1957. State authorities dismissed this reliance, noting that the 1957 legislation is no longer applicable, as Ogun State has operated under its own laws since its creation in 1976.

To support its position, the government referenced a consent judgment from the Ogun State High Court (suit number HCJ/180/2025). This ruling, which involved the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, and the state executive council, reportedly affirmed the authority of the AIAC. The court established that in instances of conflict between the administrative body and the traditional functions of the Olisa, the AIAC’s authority takes precedence.

New Leadership and Future Outlook

The government has explicitly warned the public against conducting official business with any individuals claiming to represent an alternative administrative body. The reconstituted council is composed of the following members:

• Chairman: Chief Rasheed Adesanya (Olisa of Ijebu-Ode)
• Secretary: Chief Chris Okunowo (Bobasuwa)
• Member: Prof. Jide Ajayi (Jagun Aso)
• Member: Chief Stephen O. Bakare (Babalaje)
• Member: Chief Alade Shote (Otun Balogun)

The government noted that both Chief Adesanya and Chief Okunowo have publicly dissociated themselves from the reported mass withdrawal, signaling their commitment to the state-backed council. The administration has urged all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the stability of Ijebuland.

Conclusion

As the search for a new Awujale continues, the Ogun State Government maintains that the reconstituted AIAC is the only body authorized to handle the transition. By relying on the 2021 Chieftaincy Law and existing court judgments, the state aims to ensure that the process remains transparent and legally sound, minimizing the risk of administrative paralysis during the interregnum.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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