The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in line to produce the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, has issued a stern warning to power players, wealthy individuals, and political figures attempting to influence the selection of the next monarch.
At the cultural Gbedu drum ceremony held in Ijebu-Ode on Thursday—an age-old ritual signifying the readiness of the next ruling house to present a candidate—the head of the Fusengbuwa family, Adedokun Ajidagba, declared in clear terms: the Awujale stool is not for the highest bidder.
Ajidagba emphasized that the next Awujale must uphold the revered traditions of Ijebuland, cautioning against any attempt to sideline the Ifa divination system or hijack the process through wealth or political muscle.
Whoever emerges must be picked by Ifa, not by the size of his wallet or political connections. This stool is not for billionaires, politicians, or outsiders. The tradition must reign,” he declared.
FG, State Government Told to Stay Out
Ajidagba warned the Ogun State Government and all external actors to stay clear of the selection process, stating that the Fusengbuwa family would resist any attempt at imposition or manipulation.
We’ve written to the government to mind their lane. This is a traditional affair guided by spiritual and ancestral laws—not politics or modern bureaucracy,” he said.
Late Oba Adetona’s Warning Echoed
The family’s stance aligns with the position of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who before his passing on July 13, 2025, rejected the idea of a ‘moneybag monarch’. At the 2021 Ojude Oba, the monarch reportedly stated that his successor should not be selected based on wealth or influence but on tradition and merit.
Oba Adetona, who died at 91 after 65 years on the throne, was buried in line with Islamic rites, sparking controversy among traditionalists who decried the exclusion of cultural burial customs. The burial furore continues to echo amid this succession process.
Fusengbuwa Asserts Its Rightful Claim
Reaffirming Fusengbuwa’s legitimacy, Ajidagba stated that the ruling house had received an official certificate of affirmation from the Ijebu-Ode Local Government in 2023, clearing any doubts about its succession rights.
“We are not begging. It is our legitimate turn. We will follow due process, and we will present a candidate who is steeped in our heritage and acceptable to all,” he stated.
Ajidagba further revealed that eight branches within the Fusengbuwa house are actively participating in the selection process, remaining united and vigilant against outside intrusion.
Traditional Leaders Back Fusengbuwa
Chief Razaq Osimodi, the Olowa of Ijebu-Ode and Abore of Awujale, threw his weight behind the Fusengbuwa family, noting that the beating of the Gbedu drum was the spiritual marker of the rightful ruling house’s turn.
Let no one be deceived. This process is spiritual and sacred. The oracle will speak, and the people will follow,” he said.
Also lending support was Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, General Secretary of the four ruling houses and Fusengbuwa family. He reaffirmed the house’s unity and their commitment to producing a qualified, grounded, and respected prince.
Our family record is clear. No division, no distraction. We will present a candidate of integrity and tradition,” he stated.
Final Warning: “No Strangers on the Throne”
In a firm tone, Ajidagba issued a final caveat:
We are beginning to notice intruders—people who are neither part of us nor familiar with our heritage. Let it be known: we will not allow strangers to sit on our throne.”
As the kingdom braces for a new era, one thing is clear—the battle for the Awujale stool has begun, and tradition is the standard by which the next monarch will be measured.
