It is exactly one year since the passing of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, yet the revered throne remains vacant as the succession process continues to be stalled by legal disputes, petitions, and government suspension.
The highly respected monarch died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 after an illustrious 65-year reign. He was buried the following day at his private residence in Ijebu-Ode in accordance with Islamic rites. His death came just hours after the demise of his longtime friend and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Born on May 10, 1934, into the Anikinaiya Royal House in Imupa, Ijebu-Ode, Oba Adetona ascended the throne at the age of 26 after receiving the staff of office from the then Premier of the Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola. During his reign, he became one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and most influential traditional rulers.
In recognition of his contributions to national development and traditional leadership, President Bola Tinubu conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, during his 90th birthday celebration in 2024.
Succession Battle Deepens
Following the monarch’s death, no fewer than 95 aspirants—94 princes and one princess—from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House indicated interest in succeeding him.
Among the prominent contenders are businessman Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of former Ogun State Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga; renowned ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital, Dr. Kunle Hassan; construction magnate Otunba Fatai Arowolo; and lawyer Oluwakemi Onanuga, the only female aspirant.
Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1) also declared interest in the throne. However, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House dismissed his claim, insisting he is not a member of the royal family eligible to contest the stool. The musician subsequently approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode, seeking an order to halt the selection process.
Government Suspension Stalls Selection
The Ogun State Government initially cancelled the succession exercise on December 11, 2025, directing the ruling house to restart the process in strict compliance with the law.
Although the government later cleared the ruling house to resume the exercise in January 2026, it again suspended the process just weeks later, citing petitions from stakeholders, reports from security agencies, and the need to preserve public peace and the integrity of the revered stool.
The prolonged suspension has prevented the kingmakers from completing the selection of a new Awujale.
Bribery Allegations and Police Investigation
The succession process became even more contentious after nine Ijebu kingmakers were invited by the Ogun State Police Command over allegations of bribery and financial inducement during the selection exercise.
Although the kingmakers had earlier faced similar allegations that were eventually dropped, they described the repeated investigations as distractions.
The Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers complete their constitutional responsibility without further interference.
Similarly, Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Alhaji Abdulateef Owoyemi, urged the state government to lift the suspension, insisting investigations by both the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) found no evidence of wrongdoing against either the ruling house or the kingmakers.
According to him, the ruling house had already fulfilled its traditional obligation by presenting qualified nominees before the process was halted.
Ojude Oba Held Without an Awujale
The uncertainty surrounding the succession meant that the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival—one of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural events—was held without an Awujale on the throne for the first time in decades.
Adding to the controversy was a purported letter allegedly sent to Governor Dapo Abiodun by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, nominating five princes for consideration.
However, the state government dismissed the document as unauthorised. The Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the selection process remains officially suspended and advised the public to disregard the letter.
The Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, also denied authoring the document, describing it as an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
A King’s Final Wish
Before his death, Oba Adetona repeatedly cautioned against the politicisation of the succession process.
In one of his final public admonitions, the late monarch urged the kingmakers to seek divine guidance and place competence above wealth or political influence in choosing his successor.
“When I eventually go, please go for a capable successor. Reject any candidate that will put Ijebu Land into retrogression.
“Do not politicise the process of selecting my successor. If the next ruling house does not present a viable candidate, reject the candidate and move to the next ruling house.
“Do not go for moneybags that will destroy the achievements Ijebu Land has recorded so far.”
One year after the passing of the revered monarch, that appeal remains as relevant as ever, with the ancient kingdom still awaiting the emergence of its next Awujale.
Comments