The Bubiade Royal Family of Ijebu-Ode has called for fairness and recognition of its customary rights in the ongoing process to select a new Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that its lineage deserves the opportunity to produce the next monarch.
Speaking during a briefing in Ijebu-Ode, the Olori-Ebi of the family, Alhaji Olaide Yusuf Busura, said the appeal was necessary to address what he described as a long-standing historical imbalance within the royal lineage of the Awujale stool.
Busura explained that the Bubiade lineage traces its ancestry directly to Oba Jadiara, one of the past Awujales of Ijebu-Ode, noting that Bubiade was the first child of the monarch. According to him, another child of Jadiara, Funsegbuwa, later produced Tunwase, whose descendants have historically produced several Awujales.
He said historical records indicate that the throne within the Jadiara royal family has consistently rotated between the descendants of Funsegbuwa and Tunwase, leaving the Bubiade lineage without the opportunity to ascend the throne.
Busura listed past monarchs from the other branches to include Oba Funsegbuwa, Adesimbo Tunwase, Adekoya Eleruja, and Adenuga Folagbade, who became Awujale in 1925.
“While the descendants of Funsegbuwa and Tunwase have produced multiple kings over the years, the Bubiade branch has never been given the chance to occupy the throne despite being direct descendants of Jadiara,” he said.
He added that the current selection process presents a chance to correct the perceived imbalance.
Busura noted that about eight eligible princes have emerged from the Bubiade lineage, compared to approximately 75 candidates from other branches.
“This imbalance illustrates the fundamental issue before us. A lineage that has never been given the opportunity now faces competition from lineages that have already produced several kings over centuries,” he said.
The family also raised constitutional concerns, citing provisions of the Ogun State Chiefs Law 2021 and warning that any interpretation excluding Bubiade descendants from the process would contradict Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on circumstances of birth.
Busura emphasised that Yoruba traditional governance does not make kingship an automatic inheritance but rather a process of customary selection among eligible princes from recognised royal lineages.
The Bubiade Royal Family therefore appealed to the regent of Ijebu-Ode, Dr Sunny Kuku, the kingmakers, traditional rulers across Ijebuland, and the Ijebu-Ode Local Government authorities to ensure fairness in the selection process.
“It is not a departure from tradition but a restoration of fairness within tradition,” Busura said, urging sons and daughters of Ijebuland to uphold justice, unity, and respect for lineage to preserve peace and harmony in the kingdom.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91 after a reign of 65 years.
A total of 95 aspirants — comprising 94 princes and one princess from the Fusengbuwa ruling house — emerged during a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall in the GRA area of Ijebu-Ode.
However, the Ogun State Government halted the selection process for the second time in January following petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Abdulateef Owoyemi, has urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to complete the selection process, noting that the delay has caused frustration among members of the royal family and Ijebu indigenes at home and in the diaspora.
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