Exactly one year after the death of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered throne remains vacant as the process of selecting his successor continues to be stalled by legal disputes, government suspensions and allegations of irregularities.
Oba Adetona died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 after a remarkable 65-year reign. He was buried the following day at his private residence in Ijebu-Ode according to Islamic rites. His passing came just hours after the death of 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 traditional rulers and was honoured with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 for his contributions to national development.
Following his death, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House produced 95 contenders for the vacant stool, comprising 94 princes and one princess.
Among those who expressed interest are Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of former Ogun State Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga; renowned ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital, Dr. Kunle Hassan; Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction; and lawyer Oluwakemi Onanuga, the only female contestant.
Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM1, also declared interest in the throne. However, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House dismissed his claim, insisting he is not a member of the ruling house and therefore not qualified to contest. The musician subsequently approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode seeking to halt the selection process.
The succession exercise has since suffered repeated interruptions.
In December 2025, the Ogun State Government cancelled the initial selection process and directed the ruling house to restart it in line with the law to prevent litigation. Although the government later approved the resumption of the exercise in January 2026, it suspended the process again just weeks later, citing petitions from security agencies and stakeholders as well as concerns over public order.
The selection process was further complicated by allegations of bribery and financial inducement involving members of the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council. Nine kingmakers were invited by the Ogun State Police Command in April 2026 for questioning after similar allegations had earlier surfaced in February.
The Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, described the repeated police invitations as a distraction and appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers complete their constitutional responsibility without further delays.
Similarly, Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Alhaji Abdulateef Owoyemi, urged the state government to lift the suspension, maintaining that investigations by the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) found no evidence of wrongdoing against either the ruling house or the kingmakers.
Despite appeals from stakeholders, the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival was celebrated without an Awujale on the throne, as the government’s suspension of the succession process remains in force.
The controversy deepened after a purported letter allegedly written by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, surfaced, recommending five princes for government consideration.
However, the Ogun State Government dismissed the document, insisting the selection process remains suspended. The Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, urged the public to disregard the letter, stating that only the appropriate authorities could communicate decisions relating to the succession exercise.
Chief Adesanya also distanced himself from the document, saying he neither authored nor authorised the letter and suggesting it may have been fabricated to damage his reputation.
Before his death, Oba Adetona had cautioned against the politicisation of the succession process. He urged the kingmakers to seek divine guidance and choose a capable successor committed to preserving the progress of Ijebuland.
He warned them not to be influenced by politics or financial inducement, stressing that only a worthy candidate should occupy the revered throne.
