Awujale Stool: Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House Demands Fresh Selection, Elects New Olori Ebi

IJEBU-ODE — The Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has called for a fresh selection process for the vacant Awujale stool, insisting that the exercise must be transparent and conducted in line with established procedures.

The ruling house also elected Omooba Otukayode Hakeem Otufale as its new Olori Ebi at a meeting held at Ule Nla Agunsebi Hall, Ijebu-Ode, on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by elders, princes and representatives of various family units within the ruling house.

The family said its decision to demand a fresh process followed concerns over the conduct of the previous selection exercise, including alleged procedural infractions, inadequate consultation and other issues which it claimed had affected confidence in the process.

The ruling house also resolved to reposition its leadership, promote unity among its members and ensure that its role in selecting the next Awujale is properly recognised.

Speaking on behalf of the Tunwase Ruling House, Otunba Kehinde Alebiosun said members decided to regroup following what he described as an embarrassing situation arising from the manner in which previous leaders handled the selection process.

Alebiosun alleged that established procedures were not followed and that adequate consultation with members of the ruling house did not take place.

“It is unfortunate that the people who handled the situation surrounding the selection of the Awujale failed to follow the necessary procedures. But thank God for the opportunity to right the wrong,” he said.

Following the meeting, representatives of the various family units presented a certificate to Otufale, formally recognising him as the new Olori Ebi.

In his acceptance speech, Otufale pledged to promote unity, transparency and accountability within the ruling house.

He also raised concerns about the conduct of the previous committee that handled the selection process, alleging that the committee failed to work as a team and did not render an account of funds allegedly collected from aspirants.

According to him, the chairmen involved in the process had been informed by the government that money should not determine the selection of the next Awujale and that funds collected from aspirants should be refunded.

“Awujale Ijebu-Ode stool isn’t for sale,” Otufale declared.

He alleged that no refunds had been made and no statement of account had been presented to the ruling house showing the amount collected, the account into which the money was paid or details of any refunds.

Otufale called for documentary evidence from anyone claiming that the funds had been refunded, saying such documents should be presented to the appropriate authorities for verification and, where necessary, recovery.

He further alleged that some aspirants were excluded from meetings and questioned the submission of 86 names to the kingmakers without what he described as proper screening.

The new Olori Ebi also questioned reports that two former chairmen associated with the selection process had acquired new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, calling for clarification on the circumstances surrounding the acquisitions.

He said the former chairmen no longer enjoyed the confidence of the ruling house and should not be entrusted with responsibilities relating to the selection process.

On reported legal proceedings instituted by some former leaders in connection with the Awujale selection, Otufale said the ruling house was neither aware of nor a party to any such action against the Ogun State Government.

He said the new leadership would communicate its position to the court and clarify that the individuals involved were not authorised to act on behalf of the ruling house.

Otufale said the ruling house was not interested in litigation against the government, but preferred to work with the authorities to restart the selection process.

“We are not willing or interested in taking the government to court. The government has been able to stop the stool from being stolen, and when the restart button is pressed, we shall do a better job in conducting the selection process than the mess created by the trio,” he said.

He added that his emergence as Olori Ebi followed the established procedures of the ruling house, while an acting chairman had also been appointed.

According to him, letters had been sent to the government and the kingmakers notifying them of the new developments.

Otufale pledged to ensure fairness to all qualified members of the ruling house, stressing that the selection process must be conducted from the family house and in accordance with established procedures.

“I will be fair to everyone. I will try my best. I will not leave the family house, where the staff of office and the letter were brought, to go and hold meetings somewhere else. It will be against my principle,” he said.

Also speaking, a member of the ruling house, Omooba Abiodun Ogidan, called for the previous selection process to be restarted, alleging that it had been compromised by the former chairman and his deputy.

Ogidan urged the family and the state government to work towards a fresh process that would produce the next Awujale.

He also dismissed suggestions that the ruling house was divided into factions, insisting that the family remained united.

“We do not have factions. This is the family house. It is the address the government has, and anybody who is a member of the family knows that this is where we meet,” he said.

The ruling house reiterated its demand for a fresh selection process, saying all qualified members must be given equal opportunity and that the established procedures governing the selection of the next Awujale must be strictly followed.