Awujale: ‘We’ll Resist Any Imposition’ – Ruling House Tells Abiodun
•By Admin
ABEOKUTA – THE Fusengbuwa ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, has warned the Ogun State Government to refrain from interfering in the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that any attempt to impose a candidate will be rejected.
The Head of the Ruling House, Otunba Abdul Lateef Owoyemi, while in a clip which surfaced on Thursday said the exercise should be guided strictly by law and tradition.
Owoyemi stated that, in line with established customs and extant laws governing chieftaincy matters, once it is the turn of a ruling house to present candidates, eligible princes are required to meet and nominate individuals for consideration.
“They should allow the kingmakers to select an acceptable Awujale. Any attempt to impose someone on us will be rejected. Ijebu will not accept it,” Owoyemi declared.
According to him, the responsibility of the ruling house is limited to collating the names of nominated princes and formally transmitting them to the Awujale kingmakers through a designated representative.
“That is exactly what we are doing today,” Owoyemi said.
He noted that the next stage of the process rests entirely with the kingmakers, who are empowered by law to screen the nominees and select an Awujale-designate.
He appealed to the authorities to allow the traditional institution to function independently.
“We are begging the government to stay clear of this process and allow the kingmakers to do their job according to the law and tradition, devoid of politics,” he said.
Owoyemi emphasized that the selection of the Awujale is a sacred traditional exercise and should not be treated like partisan political contests such as the election of a council chairman, governor or president.
“This is not party politics. It is the selection process for the Awujale of Ijebuland,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun has dismissed reports of issuing threats or any attempt at imposing a particular candidate on the king makers.
The government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser, information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said a recent meeting with the kingmakers was consultative, just like he had had with the Olori Ebis that were hitherto polarized.
He said a statements making the rounds including ‘No Kuye, No Awujale’ attributed to him ‘are entirely fabricated and bear no relation to the governor of his administration.’
“No Afobaje will attest to such an occurrence, as it never happened. This is once again the fabrication of falsehoods by mischief makers.”