Ogun State’s Intervention in Awujale Stool: Duty or Interference?

By Love Oyedokun

Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria – Cablenews24 reports that the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the esteemed Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, in January 2024, marked not just the loss of a monarch, but the end of an era. For 65 years, Oba Adetona had served as a stabilizing force, shaping the modern identity of the Ijebu people and elevating the Awujale stool to a position of unparalleled reverence within Yorubaland. His reign was characterized by wisdom, diplomacy, and a deep commitment to the cultural heritage of his people. He was a bridge between tradition and modernity, navigating the complexities of a changing world while preserving the essence of Ijebu identity.

However, the months following his burial have revealed the delicate balance between tradition and modern governance. The process of selecting his successor has become fraught with challenges, exposing the difficulties of managing deeply rooted customs within a modern, highly scrutinized civic space. What should have been a solemn and orderly succession has instead unfolded amidst petitions, protests, security interventions, litigation threats, and a palpable sense of public anxiety.

The Awujale stool, steeped in centuries of history and tradition, is not merely a ceremonial position. It represents the spiritual and cultural heart of Ijebuland, a region known for its rich heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and strong sense of community. The Awujale is the custodian of Ijebu traditions, the guardian of its values, and the symbol of its unity. The selection of a new Awujale is therefore a matter of profound significance, not just for the Ijebu people, but for the entire Yoruba nation.

This Online News Medium learnt that it was within this charged environment that an unsigned petition, allegedly authored by a group identifying itself as “Concerned Legal Practitioner of Ijebu Ode,” emerged, accusing the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, of undue political interference. The petition went further, alleging attempts to implicate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Awujale succession, a claim that has further inflamed public sentiment. Such claims demand careful examination, grounded in evidence and reason, rather than emotional amplification.

A fundamental civic truth must be stated clearly: government involvement is not inherently interference, particularly when a process central to public peace and stability begins to lose legitimacy in the eyes of the people. Long before the Ogun State Government ordered the suspension of the selection process, voices across Ijebuland had openly called for intervention, expressing concerns about the integrity and transparency of the process.

The Committee of Ijebu Professionals (CIP), a respected body of technocrats, academics, and community leaders, publicly welcomed the government’s action. In a letter made public, the CIP observed that “the entire process has been bedeviled with allegations and counter-allegations; accusations and counter-accusations; beliefs and disbeliefs that money is exchanging hands; and suspicions that certain interests are influencing the process.” The CIP, a non-partisan organization dedicated to the progress and development of Ijebuland, emphasized that “whether these allegations are true or not, the credibility of the process has already been badly eroded.” This was not the voice of government loyalists, but of civic actors deeply alarmed that a revered institution was drifting into controversy.

Similarly, youth groups, under the banner of Ijebu Sons and Daughters and Ijebu-Ode Progressive Youths, staged peaceful protests, carrying placards that read: “Awujale stool is not for sale” and “Governor Abiodun, save Ijebuland from crisis.” These young people, representing the future of Ijebuland, expressed their deep concern about the potential for the Awujale stool to be compromised by undue influence or financial considerations. One of the protesters, Yusuf Adetilewa, stated plainly: “We are calling on the state government to intervene. The Awujale stool is not a small throne. We don’t want moneybags to hijack the process.” These were public appeals, made openly and transparently, not faceless whispers or clandestine maneuvers.

Traditional authorities also expressed concern. The Alagemo in Ijebuland, a respected figure in the traditional hierarchy, backed the government’s intervention, emphasizing the need for a transparent and credible process. The Alapini Awopa General of Ogun State, High Chief Tajudeen Muili, discarded the unfounded accusation against Gov. Abiodun, stating: “I do not believe the suspension was done for the governor to impose his will. Rather, it is to ensure due process is followed.”

The Gbosa and Baale of Imosan, High Chief Wahab Adebayo, echoed this sentiment, noting: “All we want is an Awujale who will promote peace and progress in Ijebuland, not one who will oppress the people.” Even the Osugbo Society, a powerful and influential traditional organization within Ijebuland, argued that the controversy revealed structural flaws in the process and called for broader inclusion to restore credibility.

Against this backdrop, the Ogun State Government’s decision to suspend the process was not arbitrary or capricious. In its official communication, citing the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, the government stated that “given the reports at its disposal, it has elected to act proactively in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.” The government also acknowledged that the stature of the Awujale stool and the legacy of Oba Adetona had placed the succession under intense public scrutiny, necessitating a cautious and deliberate approach.

Equally important are the government’s repeated assurances since the suspension. Addressing protesters, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Adebiosu, stated: “The government is not interested in who eventually emerges as Awujale. The decision was taken to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.” This position has been consistent: no preferred candidate, no anointed choice, no imposed outcome.

In this context, anonymous allegations of inducement and claims that the President has a preferred candidate appear less like civic intervention and more like political mischief. There is no credible evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has involved himself in the Awujale succession, and dragging the Presidency into a state-regulated customary process only heightens tension and misleads the public. The President, facing numerous national challenges, has maintained a respectful distance from the local succession process.

Likewise, allegations of ₦250,000 inducements, unsupported by names, dates, or concrete evidence, contribute nothing to accountability. Ironically, it was precisely such rumors that prompted many stakeholders to demand government intervention, seeking to ensure a level playing field and prevent the process from being swayed by financial considerations.

The real civic question, therefore, is not whether the government should be absent, but whether it should stand idle while a revered institution slides toward crisis. By suspending the process, inviting security scrutiny, and calling for a reset anchored on due process, the Ogun State Government chose caution over chaos, prioritizing the long-term stability and integrity of Ijebuland over short-term political expediency.

The Awujale stool belongs to history, tradition, and the people, not to ambition, anonymity, or political brinkmanship. At moments like this, restraint, transparency, and lawful intervention are not threats to tradition; they are safeguards, protecting the institution from being tarnished by controversy and ensuring that the next Awujale is chosen through a process that is fair, credible, and widely accepted. The government’s commitment is clear: to protect peace, ensure fairness, and allow a credible process to produce an Awujale worthy of Ijebuland’s heritage. Anything less would have been a dereliction of civic responsibility, a failure to uphold the trust placed in it by the people of Ogun State.

About Cablenews24:
CableNews24 is a digital multimedia news platform featuring online news channel and a digital newspaper, covering Breaking News,  featuring articles on politics, technology, and general news.  We’re your trusted companion in navigating today’s fast-paced world, delivering everything you need to stay connected. From local happenings to global events, we deliver news that matters…Join the CableNews24 experience – where news meets convenience.

CableNews24 – News, Anytime, Anywhere.

For Advertisement, Event Coverage/MC, Public Relations, Story/Article Publication, and other Media Services, kindly send an email to: cablenews24.com@gmail.com OR Kindly call: 08023535955 . To stay updated with the latest news stories, kindly visit cablenews24.com published by AAAANDREL GLOBAL SERVICES