The Olori Ebi Ketegbetu of Ijebuland and princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, have formally written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeking his intervention in the dispute surrounding the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
In an appeal letter dated February 23 and signed by the Olori Ebi Keregbetu of Ijebuland, Prince Adegboyega Hanifata Olowu, the family urged President Tinubu to intervene by appealing to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to lift the suspension placed on the selection process.
They urged President “to help us appeal to the amiable Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to immediately lift the suspension order placed on the selection process for a new candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.”
Describing themselves as law-abiding, loyal and patriotic Nigerians, the family said that their ultimate objective is to ensure unity among Ijebu-Ode indigenes in a peaceful and progressive atmosphere.
“Recent developments in Ijebu-Ode over the suspension placed on the selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland have elicited concerns in various quarters, especially the delay this has occasioned regarding the installation of a new Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland,” the letter stated.
They emphasised that the Awujale stool is not only a symbol of cultural heritage in Ijebuland, but also a cornerstone of peace, political stability and economic development in Ogun State, the South-West geo-political zone and Nigeria as a whole.
The family alleged that the suspension of the selection process by the Ogun State Government has created tension, uncertainty and the potential for instability in Ijebu-Ode and across Ijebuland.
According to them, the impasse has resulted in a situation where one of the candidates has allegedly begun parading himself as Awujale-elect without completing the official selection process.
They further alleged that the candidate had engaged a Waka musician to produce a promotional jingle praising him as the new Awujale, which is reportedly being circulated across the kingdom.
“This is not only illegal but could lead to a serious breakdown of law and order in the kingdom. Such acts of desperation should not be allowed,” the letter stated.
The family disclosed that they convened a meeting on Saturday, February 22, noting that this was the third time they had sent written appeals and Save-Our-Souls messages to the President over the matter.
They also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the delay on major upcoming events, including the Ileya (Eid-el-Kabir) festival and the globally recognised Ojude Oba Festival.
“If a new Awujale is not installed before this year’s Ileya festival, there is a likelihood that the Ojude Oba Festival may not hold. God forbid,” they said.
They warned that many indigenes in the diaspora might reconsider travelling to Nigeria for the annual cultural event if a new monarch is not installed before then, which could negatively affect tourism and revenue generation in Ogun State.
“Nigerian businesses and corporate organisations that participate in the annual Ojude Oba Festival are already expressing concerns over its conduct this year due to the impasse,” the letter added.
Citing the Federal Government’s emphasis on tourism development, the family urged President Tinubu to use his good offices to encourage Governor Abiodun to lift the suspension and allow a lawful, transparent and fair selection process to continue.
They appealed for urgent intervention to prevent further tension and to safeguard the unity, cultural heritage and economic interests of Ijebuland.