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The Ogun State government has ordered an immediate halt to the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland, directing the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to suspend all activities related to the emergence of a new monarch.

The directive, issued by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, was conveyed through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in a letter dated January 20.

It was signed by the commissioner, Ganiyu Hamzat, and addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Dare Alebiosu.

According to the letter, the decision to halt the process was informed by security reports, petitions, and concerns raised by key stakeholders over the conduct of the selection exercise.

“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land 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 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, 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,” the Abiodun administration said.

The government further explained that its action was backed by extant laws regulating traditional institutions in the state.

It added, “In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provision of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empowers 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.”

The letter directed the Ijebu-Ode Local Government chairman to immediately notify the relevant traditional bodies of the government’s decision.

“Therefore, the state government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately.

The latter, particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”

The order comes just days after 94 princes and one princess from the Fusengbuwa ruling house emerged as contenders for the vacant Awujale stool during a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode.

The selection process has also been mired in controversy following the disqualification of Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde, who applied for the vacant stool in October 2025.

He was disqualified by the Fusengbuwa ruling house in November 2025, a move that prompted him to institute a legal action against the Ogun State Government in December, seeking the suspension of the selection process and his inclusion among the contestants.

Meanwhile, amid the heightened tensions surrounding the succession process, the Awujale Kingmakers Council announced the cancellation of a planned meet-and-greet earlier scheduled to be held at the Aafin Awujale.

Instead, the council directed all Awujale nominees to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday.

This was contained in a formal communication dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.

According to the notice, nominees were instructed to present themselves at the DSS office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode.

The letter reads, “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled.

“Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at State Security Service (SSS) Along NTA Road, Beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, Off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode. Time: 11am prompt.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive.”

The latest intervention by the Ogun State government effectively freezes the Awujale succession process pending further directives, as authorities seek to address security concerns and preserve peace and order in Ijebuland.