Fusengbuwa Ruling House Denies Tinubu, Abiodun Interference in Awujale Selection
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State has dismissed allegations that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun are backing a preferred candidate in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Chairman of the ruling house, Abdullateef Abdulaziz Owoyemi, refuted the claims during a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, stating that neither the President nor the governor had attempted to influence the process or impose any aspirant.
Owoyemi described as untrue public insinuations that both leaders were rooting for a particular contender for the revered stool of Ijebuland. He stressed that the Awujale selection process remains the exclusive responsibility of the ruling house and is being conducted in line with established traditions.
While denying political interference, he acknowledged that there had been attempts by individuals to exert influence through monetary and material inducements. However, he maintained that he would not compromise his integrity for personal gain.
Owoyemi also disclosed that he had not received any formal petition regarding the suspension of the succession process. He attributed the temporary halt to rising tensions, security concerns, and the need to strictly adhere to laid-down guidelines.
He explained that the unprecedented emergence of 95 contestants — the highest number recorded in the history of the Awujale selection — followed the cancellation of a N10 million administrative fee earlier introduced by the ruling house to regulate participation.
According to him, the fee was initially designed to cover logistics and discourage unserious applicants, with only 12 aspirants paying before the state government directed that the amount be refunded. The refunds, he said, were completed within three days.
Owoyemi noted that once the restriction was lifted, applications surged significantly, resulting in the large number of contestants currently vying for the throne.
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