The Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has demanded a fresh selection process for the vacant Awujale stool, insisting that the exercise must be transparent, follow established procedures, and give all qualified members a fair opportunity to participate. This decision was made at a meeting of the ruling house held at Ule Nla Agunsebi Hall, Ijebu Ode, on Sunday. The meeting was attended by elders, princes, and heads of various family units.
The ruling house expressed concerns over the handling of the previous selection process, citing alleged procedural infractions, inadequate consultation, and other issues that compromised confidence in the process. Speaking on behalf of the Tunwase Ruling House, Otunba Kehinde Alebiosun said the family decided to regroup following an embarrassing situation arising from the manner in which former leaders handled the selection process. He alleged serious traditional infractions, failure to follow due procedures, and inadequate consultation with members of the ruling house.
During the meeting, Omooba Otukayode Hakeem Otufale was elected as the new Olori Ebi. Representatives of the various family units presented a certificate to Otufale, formally recognising him as the new Olori Ebi. In his acceptance speech, Otufale pledged to promote unity, transparency, and accountability, while raising questions about the conduct of the previous committee that handled the selection process. He alleged that the committee failed to operate as a team and did not account for funds allegedly collected from aspirants.
Otufale also questioned the submission of 86 names to the kingmakers without proper screening, raising concerns about whether those entrusted with the process had fully discharged their responsibilities. He further raised questions over reports that two former chairmen associated with the process had acquired new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, calling for the circumstances surrounding the acquisitions to be established. Otufale said the former chairmen had lost the confidence of the ruling house and should no longer be entrusted with responsibilities relating to the selection process.
On the legal proceedings reportedly instituted by some former leaders in connection with the Awujale selection process, Otufale said the ruling house was not aware of or party to any such action against the state government. He said the new leadership would communicate the position of the ruling house to the court and clarify that the individuals concerned were not authorised to act on its behalf. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House dissociated itself from any legal action against the government, saying it was interested in working with the government to restart the selection process.
Otufale said his emergence as Olori Ebi followed the laid-down procedures of the ruling house, adding that an acting chairman had also been appointed. He said letters had been sent to the government and the kingmakers informing them of the new developments. Otufale pledged to ensure fairness to all qualified members of the ruling house, saying the selection process must be conducted from the family house and in accordance with established procedures.
A member of the ruling house, Omooba Abiodun Ogidan, also called for the selection process to be restarted, saying the previous process had been compromised by the former chairman and his deputy. He urged the family and the government to move forward with a fresh process aimed at producing a new Awujale. The ruling house maintained that the fresh process should be conducted transparently, with all qualified members given fair consideration and established procedures strictly followed.
Key points
- The Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House demands a fresh selection process for the Awujale stool, citing concerns over the handling of the previous exercise.
- Omooba Otukayode Hakeem Otufale was elected as the new Olori Ebi, pledging to promote unity, transparency, and accountability.
- The ruling house dissociated itself from any legal action against the government, saying it is interested in working with the government to restart the selection process.
