By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, has cautioned the three ruling houses in Ijebu Ode against acts that could undermine the peaceful selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Speaking on Tuesday during a virtual meeting with elders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, led by their head, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, Alebiosu assured that the government would not tolerate interference or illegality in the succession process.
The Awujale throne rotates among four ruling houses—Fidipote, Gbelegbuwa, Anikilaya, and Fusengbuwa. Following the passing of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, on July 13 at the age of 91 after a 65-year reign, it is now the turn of the Fusengbuwa family to produce the next monarch.
Owoyemi, a former ICAN president, accused the other three ruling houses of meddling in Fusengbuwa’s internal affairs and stirring discord. He appealed to the council to intervene, saying: “Fusengbuwa Ruling House had never interfered in the affairs of any of the three Awujale sister ruling houses, and in the name of Almighty God and reverence for our noble ancestors, they should stop meddling in the affairs of our house.”
Responding, Alebiosu stressed that fairness would be upheld, and Fusengbuwa’s right to present a candidate would be protected. “This is not a banana republic. We won’t allow interlopers. Each ruling house has its turn, and now it is the turn of Fusengbuwa. The family has many illustrious sons, and the right thing will be done,” he said, adding that he would brief the governor accordingly.
Also present at the meeting were Oba Sikiru Okuribido, the Dagburewe of Idowa Ijebu; the Saderiren of Isoyin, Oba Abdurasheed Salami; and the Onirete of Irete, Oba Abdulganiyu Awokoya-Yesufu, among others.
Ijebu Ode LG Chairman Warns Against Interference in Awujale Succession
