CITIZENS COMPASS— A female lawyer, Princess Oluwakemi Onanuga, was among the 95 contestants who emerged on Monday, as contestants for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland in Ogun State.
They were nominated at a meeting of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Citizens Compass reported that the Ruling House had written the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Ogun State and scheduled a Nomination meeting of candidates.
The Ruling House requested the Council to send its Secretary, Abiodun Oke, and his team to act as observers.
So far, 95 contestants consisting of a princess and 94 princes have emerged.
The nomination meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.
Among the contestants were Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of a former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Dr Kunle Hassan, a renowned ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital; and Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction, among others.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July last year following the demise of the 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
At the Monday meeting, procedures for the nomination was that contestants were represented by two of their relatives out of which one moved the motion for the nomination, while the other seconded it. The family thereafter registered the contestant as eligible to contest.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the nomination meeting, the family head of Fusengbuwa, Owoyemi, lauded family members for conducting themselves peacefully and ensuring that nothing untoward occurred that could jeopardise the nomination process.
He said the family was working across the board to ensure that the overall candidate would not disappoint the Awujale stool.
According to him, “We thank God that what we have feared so much has finally come and gone peacefully.
“We have successfully, peacefully and harmoniously nominated our candidates, 95 of them. It is now left in the hands of the kingmakers to do a very good job conscientiously and pick one of them as the next Awujale.
Owoyemi also said that the contestants had earlier signed an agreement to accept the outcome of the selection process and not pursue litigation, adding that the family expected each contestant to abide by the agreement.
He further said that the ruling house believed the government would do the right thing and “pick for the family the Awujale that has been foretold would make Ijebu land the biggest and greatest. We believe God will guide them right.”
Citizens Compass reports that the kingmakers would continue the selection process.
The prompt intervention of security operatives prevented some armed thugs from accessing the venue of the meeting.
Recall that Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde popularly known as K1 De Ultimate who claimed to be a member of the Fidipote Ruling House had expressed grievances over the nomination process.
He had challenged the Fusengbuwas’ plan to use a screening committee and delegates for the nomination, arguing that this contravenes the Customary Law.
A reliable source told Citizens Compass that each candidate paid N10m for the Nomination forms.
A family source said each candidate paid N10m for the Nomination form.
