The prolonged delay in filling the vacant Awujale stool has sparked widespread concern across Ijebuland, prompting a unified plea from key religious and traditional leaders for Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to lift the government-imposed embargo. The throne became vacant in July 2025 following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, after a historic 65-year reign.
The selection process, which initially saw 95 royal aspirants step forward from the Funsengbuwa ruling house, was halted by the Ogun State Government in January 2026. Official reasons cited included petitions from security agencies and various stakeholders, following a prior suspension over procedural concerns in December 2025. The stalemate has since escalated into legal action, with the ruling house taking Governor Abiodun, the local council chairman, and the traditional kingmakers to the High Court in Ijebu-Ode to force the completion of the selection
The Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ijebu, Rt Rev Dr Peter Rotimi Oludipe, voiced the growing frustration within the community, noting that the vacuum is undesirable given the region’s prominent standing across Nigeria. While acknowledging that the administration may have its reasons, he stressed the need for action.
“All of us are aware that the delay is caused by the state government. It’s the governor that has put a kind of a stop to the arrangement of those who are supposed to be in charge of selecting the Awujale,” Oludipe stated. “So we are looking forward to the governor lifting that ban very soon, so that the process can come to a conclusion that will be acceptable to all.”
The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo, highlighted that the people firmly stand behind the kingmakers, whom he praised as men of high integrity and pedigree. He urged the governor to seize the opportunity to conclude the process.
“We are still imploring our governor. The time is still there. We want our governor to be the governor that will sign the certificate. We want the governor to be the governor that will present the staff of office. This is his chance,” Ayanbadejo said.
The head of the Osugbo in Ijebu-Ode, Chief Bolanle Bakare, reaffirmed that the public has waited long enough and begged the state authorities to allow the choice of the new paramount ruler to reach its natural conclusion without further disruptions.
The leaders made their public appeal during the inauguration of 52 community boreholes in Ijebu-Ode, a major philanthropic initiative funded by Abimbola Onabanjo and his wife, Abayomi. Project coordinator Mrs Funmi Ayanwusi explained that the initiative aims to provide clean drinking water to underserved areas, including the Idewon community. The intervention drew widespread praise from the attending dignitaries, with 89-year-old Alhaji Adebisi Alausa, Chairman of the Ijebu-Ode Council of Olorituns, describing the scale of the water project as entirely unprecedented in his lifetime.