...assures Fusengbuwa remains one united family
The Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Agunsebi Ile Nla, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, has issued a stern warning to detractors and external interlopers trying to defame or tarnish the image of traditional family heads involved in selecting the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ajidagba, who spoke from the historic Agunsebi Ile Nla family house in Ijebu-Ode, maintained that the authentic leadership of the royal family is fully focused on steering a transparent, dignified, and custom-compliant succession process.
The recognised heads of the royal family are Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, an oil magnate and Chairman, Jogbo Petroleum and Chief Fassy Yusuf, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ijebu-Ode branch.
These family heads, Ajidagba said, "are our responsible and prominent personalities in the society who will not soil their names over the Awujale selection process."
The warning is coming amidst ongoing deliberations to find a successor to the late paramount ruler, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away in July 2025 after a historic 65-year reign.
Defending the Sanctity of the royal family leadership while addressing family stakeholders and journalists at the Agunsebi Ile Nla quarters, Otunba Ajidagba condemned recent smear campaigns aimed at the elders of the ruling house.
He noted that certain elements, disgruntled by the family's strict adherence to customary guidelines, have resorted to cheap blackmail to undermine the selection process.
"We are aware of the desperate moves by certain individuals to cast aspersions on the integrity of our family heads," Ajidagba stated. "Let it be known that the leadership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House under my watch cannot be blackmailed, nor can we be manipulated by social connections or deep pockets. Those trying to tarnish our names are wasting their time, as our ancestral structure remains unshakeable."
Ajidagba further stated on behalf of the family that he's using the medium to warn intruders, asking when the journey was tough "where were they? Now, they're laying blames when everything is now falling on the right path."
He stressed that the Olori-Ebis have perfectly and effectively played their roles by following the normal due process on the selection and already submitted their report to the kingmakers before the embargo placed on the process by the Ogun State Government.
"All our kingmakers are responsible, reliable and trustworthy leaders who will not do anything contrary to the will of the people," Ajidagba said.
The Awujale selection process has drawn immense public interest, with scores of princes vying for the vacant paramount stool.
Ajidagba reiterated that the stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland is sacred and will never be auctioned off to the highest bidder, emphasising that the family's elders are deeply principled figures who prioritised historical legacy over immediate material gains.
"Ijebuland deserves the absolute best, and we will not allow anyone to tamper with the orderly structure guiding the emergence of the next Awujale," he asserted. "The elders of Agunsebi Ile Nla are contented and focused. Our criteria are based strictly on character, genealogy, and the custom of our forebears, not on external financial inducements."
While clarifying that the Fusengbuwa family remains legally verified by local authorities to coordinate the current rotation cycle, Ajidagba urged all true descendants to close ranks and avoid playing into the hands of detractors.
He reminded all interested parties that royal succession demands absolute respect for time-tested processes.
"The Fusengbuwa ruling house waited a whole century—from 1925 to 2025—before this opportunity came back to our turn. Those who are anxious or attempting to shortcut the system must exercise patience and respect the family leadership. We are moving forward in unity, and no amount of defamation from outsiders or their proxies will derail our mission to present a worthy king for Akile Ijebuland," Ajidagba said.
He therefore pleaded with the Ogun State Government to urgently lift the embargo imposed by giving the kingmakers the free hand to perform their legitimate role of selecting the right candidate for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ajidagba concluded by appealing to the people of Ijebu-Ode to exercise more patience and continue to pray for the land to produce the best suited candidate for the Awujale stool that will move the ancient kingdom forward.
Meanwhile, the Awujale selection proceedings continue under close observation from the Ogun State Government and the traditional kingmakers of Ijebuland.