The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which is next in line to produce the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, has officially begun the process of nominating a successor—emphasizing that any prospective candidate must be wholly committed to preserving the cherished customs and cultural heritage of the Ijebu people.
This declaration was made on Thursday by the head of the Fusengbuwa lineage, Adedokun Ajidagba, during the ceremonial beating of the Gbedu drums—a profound traditional rite symbolizing the ruling house's formal intention to present a candidate for the Awujale stool. The event took place in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
It will be recalled that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, after a remarkable 65-year reign. The revered monarch was laid to rest the following Monday at his private residence in Ijebu Ode’s GRA, in accordance with Islamic rites.
During the burial, security operatives were reportedly deployed to prevent traditionalists from intervening in the funeral proceedings. Governor Dapo Abiodun, who attended the interment, affirmed that the late monarch had expressed a personal wish to be buried in line with Islamic practices.
The burial, however, has continued to provoke public debate, particularly among traditionalists, who maintain that the late king should have been accorded a burial consistent with Ijebu ancestral customs.
Addressing the matter on Thursday, Ajidagba reiterated the importance of tradition in the succession process and warned that the next Awujale must be a custodian of the Ijebu cultural heritage.
“Whosoever emerges as the next Awujale must not abandon Isese, our traditional beliefs and practices, as it is through them that Ijebuland thrives and progresses,” he stated. “The late Oba Adetona himself insisted that the Ifa oracle must be consulted in the selection process. The oracle’s guidance must be respected.”
Ajidagba also issued a strong appeal to the Ogun State Government, urging it to refrain from interfering in the traditional selection process.
“We have formally communicated to the government our stance that the process of selecting the next Awujale must be allowed to unfold without external influence. It is a sacred and time-honored procedure that must not be politicized,” he declared.
He further emphasized that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House would adhere strictly to established customs and protocols, warning that any attempt to impose a candidate—particularly one backed by financial influence—would be firmly resisted.
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