No fewer than 95 princes and princesses from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House have formally expressed interest in ascending the revered stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, marking a significant development in the traditional succession process.
The disclosure was made on Monday by the Olori Ebi of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Lateef Owoyemi, during the commencement of a nomination meeting held at Bisi Rodipe Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode. Owoyemi, who is also known as Otunba Jadiara, addressed members of the ruling house at the gathering.
Several prominent leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House were in attendance, including the Deputy Olori Ebi, Otunba Ajidagba, and the Chairman, Chief Fassy Yusuf, among others.
Otunba Owoyemi explained that the names of aspirants who successfully scale the initial screening stage would be forwarded to the Afobajes, the body traditionally empowered to select a candidate for the throne.
According to him, the Afobajes will thereafter choose one candidate as the next Awujale and submit the name to the Ogun State Government for ratification in line with established customs and legal procedures.
He added that any individual dissatisfied with the conduct or outcome of the nomination exercise is free to channel grievances through the appropriate authorities, including the state government.
The Awujale stool is one of the most prestigious traditional institutions in Yorubaland, and the unfolding succession process is expected to draw keen attention from both traditional stakeholders and the wider public.