Awujale Stool: Fresh Controversy As Wasiu Ayinde Writes Ogun Govt Over Alleged Exclusion
•By Admin
ABEOKUTA – A fresh controversy has emerged over the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland popular musician, Wasiu Ayinde Adesanya has formally written to the Ogun State Government, alleging plan by the Funsengbuwa ruling house to exclude him from current nomination process.
Popular called ‘KWAM 1’, the musician warned that he will resist any attempt to exclude him from the nomination process for the revered traditional throne.
In a letter dated 8 January 2026, Ayinde, through his legal representatives, W. K. Shittu (SAN) & Co., petitioned the Ogun State Executive Council, alleging that certain actions within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House amount to a deliberate effort to sidestep due process and disenfranchise eligible members of the ruling family.
The letter, routed through the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, accused some leaders of the ruling house of introducing procedures unknown to the law, including screening of aspirants and nomination by delegates, which Ayinde’s lawyers say violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.
According to the petition, the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government had earlier directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, in a letter dated 6 January 2026, to convene a statutory family meeting within 14 days to nominate candidate(s) to fill the vacant Awujale stool.
However, while preparations were ongoing for the statutory meeting, a public notice allegedly issued by Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, the family’s Public Relations Officer, introduced a screening process and a delegate-based nomination system.
The notice, according to the petition, also fixed 10 January 2026 for the selection of delegates and 12 January 2026 for the nomination exercise at Bisood Event Center.
This move, Ayinde’s lawyers said, is unlawful and capable of undermining the integrity of the process.
The legal practitioners warned that allowing a select group within the ruling house to control the nomination process could lead to crisis in what should ordinarily be a seamless traditional succession.
Ayinde further stated that any attempt to preclude him from participating in the process would be resisted, stressing that all qualified members of the ruling house are entitled to attend the statutory meeting and freely nominate candidates of their choice.
The development revives an earlier dispute instituted by Wasiu Ayinde, surrounding the Awujale stool.
Before the current controversy, an initial notice relating to the nomination process had been issued by the local government and the ruling family but was later withdrawn following the intervention of the Ogun State Government.
Prior to the withdrawal of that earlier notice, Wasiu Ayinde had openly indicated interest in the Awujale stool, a move that drew opposition from the ruling house who declared Ayinde as not a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Disagreeing with that position, Ayinde approached the court to challenge his exclusion and assert his claim to membership of the ruling house.
However, following the withdrawal of the earlier notice after the state government’s intervention, Ayinde subsequently withdrew his court case.