The Ogun State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the selection process for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The directive was issued by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, in a letter dated January 20 and addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government. According to the commissioner, the decision followed petitions and reports from security agencies and other stakeholders over the ongoing process.
Hamzat said the move was necessary to address concerns that could affect public order, the credibility of the process, and the status of the stool.
The letter was titled, “RE: AWUJALE SELECTION PROCESS.”
“I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.
“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yorubaland generally and in Ogun State particularly, where it is one of the paramount stools. Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona—who reigned for sixty-five (65) years—significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool. These realities place a lot of focus, attention, and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.
“In this regard, the State Government has received several petitions and reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.
“In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empower it to ‘set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so.’ Thus, given the reports at its disposal, the government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order, and good government by halting the process in its entirety.
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“Therefore, the State Government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, in particular, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has invited all nominees for the Awujale stool to report to its office in Ijebu-Ode.
The invitation was contained in a letter dated January 21, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Awujale Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja.
The letter was addressed to the Olórí Ẹbí of Fusengbuwa, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and Chief Prof. Fassy Yusuf.
The DSS informed them that the meeting earlier scheduled for Wednesday had been cancelled and directed the nominees to report at its office in Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m.
Security was tightened around the palace of the Awujale in Ijebu-Ode at the time of the visit by our correspondent.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen monitoring movement into the palace, while a section of the road leading to the palace was closed and security vehicles stationed nearby.