Awujale stool: Traditionalists rain curses on politicians who intend to impose candidate 

CITIZENS COMPASS— Traditionalists in Ijebuland, have warned politicians to steer clear of the process to fill the vacant stool of Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland in Ogun State even as they rained curses on anyone trying to manipulate the selection process into the revered stool.

The traditionalists, mostly women trooped out in their numbers and converged on the Ita-Aje area of Ijebu-Ode invoking supernatural powers on any would-be imposed candidates and their cohorts.

They were captured in viral videos obtained by Citizens Compass warning that any attempt to manipulate the process or impose candidates would spell doom for the impostors.

Recall that on two occasions, the Obaship process has been suspended for various reasons, a situation that has raised suspicion in the land.

The videos captured the traditionalists sending strong messages to politicians to allow transparency or face the wrath of the gods.

Another set of female traditionalists was seen peacefully walking towards Ita-Osu/Ita-lapo junction, an indication that they were passing across a message on the land.

This is just as the state government has suspended the Nomination process for the Awujale stool.

The state government suspended the process in a letter written by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from the

Office of the Honourable Commissioner, Ganiyu Hamzat, and addressed to the Chairman,

Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The letter was dated Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

It reads: Re: Awujale selection process

I write in respect of the selection process of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land generally and in Ogun State particularly where it is one of the paramount stools. Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetọna, who reigned for sixty-five (65) years significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool.

These realities placed a lot of focus, attention, and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.

In this regard, the state government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies, and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.

In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021 which empowers it to “set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of the peace, order and good government to do so.” Given the reports at its disposal, the Government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order, and good government by halting the process in its entirety.

Therefore, the state government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.

In a swift reaction, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, Secretary, Awujale Afobaje Council, in a letter dated,

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, and addressed to the Olórí Ẹbí of Fusengbuwa, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, and two others, directed the Awujale nominees to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at:

State Security Service (SSS)

It reads: Dear Sirs,

Re: Invitation of Awujale Nominees to the DSS Office and Cancellation of the Meet-and-Greet at the Aafin Awujale

We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled.

Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at: State Security Service (SSS), along NTA Road beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode.Time: 11:00 a.m. prompt.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Yours faithfully,

Citizens Compass gathered that the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun convened an emergency late-night meeting that extended into the early hours of Wednesday.

He was said to have imposed a candidate which was vehemently rejected as the attendees insisted on due process or the Awujale stool to remain vacant until further notice.

‎A circulating report has it that during the meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun, he declared Hon. Ademorin Kuye was both his personal choice and the preferred candidate of the “Headquarters” (HQ). He subsequently directed the Council of Kingmakers (Afobajes) to present Kuye as the next Awujale.

‎The Council, however, firmly rejected the directive, insisting that due process be followed. They maintained that any communication regarding a preferred candidate from HQ must be delivered directly rather than through an intermediary. Tensions escalated when the Governor reportedly declared, “No Kuye, no Awujale.” In a defiant response, the Afobajes stated they would rather see the throne remain vacant than allow a candidate to be imposed upon them through intimidation.

‎‎Tensions escalated after a member of the Kingmakers (Afobajes) reminded Governor Dapo Abiodun that his own hometown, Iperu, remains without a traditional ruler. This vacancy persists because the local Kingmakers successfully resisted the Governor’s attempt to impose a preferred candidate.

‎In response to this defiance, the DSS reportedly took control of the Awujale’s palace this morning, barring the Kingmakers from entering. Additionally, the state government issued a formal letter halting the selection process. Consequently, the Kingmakers and the people of Ijebu have expressed a preference to remain without an Awujale until the Governor’s term ends next year.

The Governor has since refuted the allegation.

In a chat with Citizens Compass, some elders in Ijebu-Ode said the repercussions would be massive should there be an imposition of candidates.