Ijebuland may soon welcome a new Awujale, with the succession process entering its final and most decisive phase. Indications from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House suggest that the revered royal stool could be filled within the next 14 days. The Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Jadiara Lateef Owoyemi, disclosed this on the sidelines of the just-concluded nomination exercise, signalling steady progress in the traditional selection process.
According to him, the ruling house has completed its internal consultations and screening, paving the way for the emergence of a candidate to be presented to the appropriate authorities. The nomination meeting, held at the Bisi Rodipe Hall in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ijebu Ode, brought together key stakeholders in the process.
Representatives of the Ijebu Ode Local Government were in attendance, led by the council’s Secretary, Abiodun Oke-Adebanjo, to observe and ensure procedural compliance. Senior members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House also played prominent roles at the meeting. Among them were the Deputy Olori Ebi, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, and the Chairman of the ruling house, Chief Fassy Yusuf, alongside other elders and leaders.
Otunba Owoyemi revealed that interest in the Awujale stool was unusually high, reflecting the prestige and historical significance of the throne. While 95 princes and princesses initially indicated interest, only 85 met the requirements and participated in the nomination process. With nominations now concluded, attention shifts to the next steps that will culminate in the selection and eventual installation of a new Awujale.
For the people of Ijebuland, the coming days are expected to be filled with anticipation as a centuries-old tradition moves closer to ushering in a new custodian of their cultural heritage.
