Ogun State Government has nullified the ongoing selection process for the vacant Awujale stool, directing the Fusengbuwa ruling house to recommence the exercise in line with extant laws.
Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed the development, explaining that the decision followed a meeting convened by the state government to address procedural lapses in the process.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, involved representatives of the ruling house, the Ijebu Ode Local Government and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee and was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
Earlier, in a letter dated December 2, 2025, the Ijebu Ode Local Government had asked the Fusengbuwa ruling house; whose turn it is to produce the next Awujale, to commence the selection process and submit names of candidates within 14 days.
The ruling house subsequently began the process, with over 60 princes reportedly indicating interest, and fixed December 15 for the selection meeting.
However, Prof. Yusuf said the state government ordered a restart of the process after identifying procedural errors that could result in protracted litigation.
Speaking with Vanguard in a telephone conversation, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, confirmed that the selection process had been halted, stressing that the move was not an interference, but a corrective measure.
He explained that the local government had not followed due process as stipulated by law. “The ruling house is required to first notify the local government of its readiness to begin the process. The local government will then inform the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which will authorise the commencement of the exercise,” the source said.
He noted that the identified errors were understandable, given that the Awujale stool had not been vacant for over six decades, unlike other communities with more frequent royal successions
