The Ogun State Government has directed that the selection process to fill the vacant stool of the “Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland” be stopped forthwith until further notice.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Ganiyu Hamzat, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, dated “20th January,” stated that the decision to stop the process was based on various petitions and reports received from security agencies and other key stakeholders regarding the ongoing selection process.
Ganiyu emphasized that it had become imperative to address the issues to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and uphold the veneration of the vacant Awujale stool.
The letter was titled, “RE: AWUJALE SELECTION PROCESS.”
“I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.
“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 sixty-five (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 and reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders related to the ongoing selection process. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and uphold the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.
“In taking this decision, 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.” 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.
“Therefore, the State Government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, in particular, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
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