For the second time, the Ogun State government, on Wednesday, ordered an immediate and indefinite suspension of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland over what it described as the need to maintain public order, as well as protect the integrity of the process.
The state government’s order suspending the entire Awujale selection process was contained in a letter dated January 20, 2026, and signed by the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, and addressed to the chairman of Ijebu-Ode local government area council.
Hamzat premised government’s decision to “immediately” suspend the selection process on the ground of rising tensions, plethora of petitions at its disposal, as well as the unfavourable reports from security agencies and key stakeholders in relation to the exercise.
The Commissioner explained that it became highly imperative for the government to act proactively without further delay because of the envious status which the immediate-past occupant of the Awujale stool, late Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, to enhance the modern esteem and prestige of the stool in Yorubaland and particularly in Ogun State where it is one of the paramount stools.
“These realities place a lot of focus, attention and scrutiny on the process by which the next Awujale-elect emerges. 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 Ogun State government stated.
Hamzat further explained that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration derived it power to place the entire process on suspension in the the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021 (as ammended), which empowers the state government to intervene where necessary.
“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,” he noted.
“Given the reports at its disposal, 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,” Hamzat added.
The Commissioner, however, directed the chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area to immediately communicate the government’s decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
“The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, in particular, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process,” the letter stated.
It would be recalled that the state government had earlier in December 2025, initially suspended the selection process over what it described as “procedural errors” and directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to restart the process in line with extant chieftaincy laws.
The suspension came after a meeting between stakeholders and representatives of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs himself.
