Ogun State government on Wednesday halted the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebu land, the second suspension in less than a month, with a heavy deployment of security forces at the palace.
Punch correspondent at Ijebu Ode observed heavy presence of policemen and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, following the government’s directive.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 after the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
In a statement signed by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the government said the decision to halt the process was to protect public order, safeguard the integrity of the selection, and maintain the prestige of the stool.
He said,“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. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House should await further directives regarding the selection process.”
Earlier, on December 18, 2025, the state government suspended the process over procedural errors that could trigger litigation.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had shortlisted 95 contestants—including 94 princes and one princess—during a nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode.
The selection process has attracted widespread interest, including from Fuji musician Ayinde, popularly called KWAM1, who had sought an interim injunction at the state high court to stop the selection proces.
On Wednesday, the Regent and head of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Dr Sonny Kuku, confirmed that the government had temporarily paused the process.
“Today, we received a message from the government indicating that the process has been temporarily halted. At the moment, we do not know the reason, but we are consulting with them to ensure the process resumes because the general members of the public are waiting for the emergence of the new Awujale,” he said.
“We will do our best to ensure that the process resumes because the general members of the public are waiting for the emergence of the new Awujale.
“The kingmakers cannot say much at this time because we have a very onerous task. We are confident that the government is also interested in ensuring a peaceful outcome. We are consulting with them, and we believe that something will happen soon.”
Speaking on reports suggesting government interference, the regent said that the kingmakers are unaware of any such move and that such reports should be treated as mere speculation.
He added that the kingmakers are fully aware of the weight of their responsibility and would therefore not betray the confidence reposed in them by tolerating any act of imposition.
On Wednesday, the DSS confirmed that the 95 nominees were scheduled for profiling at their office in Ijebu-Ode. The exercise was planned to follow palace screening and run over several days to cover all nominees. The profiling is part of a comprehensive vetting process for aspirants to the Awujale stool.
However, the exercise was suspended in line with the state government’s directive halting the Awujale selection process. The DSS stressed that the suspension is a government decision and not an action initiated by the agency.
Punch
