Awujale kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode insist the selection of the next Awujale will not be imposed, reaffirming commitment to tradition, transparency, and peace
Awujale Kingmakers Reject Imposition, Insist Selection Must Follow Ijebu Tradition
The Awujale kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode have firmly reiterated that the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland will not be subjected to imposition from any quarter, declaring that tradition, due process, and the collective interest of the Ijebu people will guide their final decision.
The position was restated by Olorogun Sonny Folorunso Kuku, Chairman of the Interregnum Council and Head of the Awujale Kingmakers, amid widespread reports that the Ogun State Government had suspended the succession process following petitions from stakeholders and security agencies.
Speaking on the development, Kuku clarified that the kingmakers had not received any formal directive from the state government instructing them to halt the process.
However, he acknowledged ongoing engagements with relevant authorities to address emerging concerns and ensure that the process proceeds without controversy.
According to him, the selection exercise has so far attracted 95 applications for the revered Awujale stool, but only six aspirants successfully completed and submitted all required documentation in line with laid-down traditional and procedural requirements.
He said the kingmakers are currently subjecting the applications to rigorous scrutiny, stressing that the process is being conducted with utmost transparency and fidelity to Ijebu customs.
“The responsibility before us is a serious one,” Kuku said.
“Our actions are guided solely by the interest of peace and the need to select the best candidate for the throne. The decision we take will affect the Ijebu people for generations, and we are determined to get it right.”
Security Presence Not Linked to Selection — Kingmakers
Addressing concerns over the increased security presence around the Awujale’s palace, Kuku dismissed insinuations that it was meant to influence the kingmakers’ deliberations.
He explained that the deployment of security personnel was purely precautionary, describing it as unrelated to the internal processes of the kingmakers.
The kingmakers, he emphasized, remain resolute in discharging their sacred duties without intimidation, political interference, or external pressure.
According to him, the selection of a new Awujale is not merely an administrative exercise but a cultural and historical responsibility that must align strictly with the customs and values of Ijebuland.
As consultations continue, the kingmakers assured the people of Ijebuland that the integrity of the process will be preserved and that the eventual occupant of the throne will emerge through tradition, fairness, and consensus, not imposition.
