94 Princes, One Princess; No Awujale One Year After

IJEBU-ODE – Monday, July 13, 2026 marks exactly one year since Ijebuland lost its towering monarch, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and paramount ruler who reigned for 65 years.

The throne of the Awujale remains vacant, and in its place, a historic race has begun. According to reports by NOP NIGERIA, no fewer than 95 members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house have stepped forward to contest for the coveted stool.

The number is unprecedented: 94 princes and one princess indicated their interest at a nomination meeting presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef.

One year after the demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the silence of the Awujale’s palace in Ijebu-Ode is still heavy. The absence of the drum beats and royal proclamations that defined his reign is felt across the town.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house is now at the center of national attention as it navigates the process of selecting a successor from a pool of 95 aspirants.

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The emergence of 94 princes and one princess signals both the prestige of the throne and the deep interest in continuing the legacy of Oba Adetona.

Crisis Over Next Awujale

The crisis rocking the process of picking a new Awujale of Ijebuland has widened, as the Afobaje Council on Friday lambasted the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, for sending a letter to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and referring to himself as the head of the Council.

The Olisa had in a correspondence to the state governor, signed the letter as the head of ilamuren kingmakers.

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The Council led by Chief Sunny Kuku, however dismissed that notion, saying that the Council has not conferred any such rights on Adesanya.

The Council members, in a statement jointly signed, said the Olisa has no authority to parade himself as their leader.

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They also faulted the Olisa for referring to himself as “Alaiyeluwa”, a title reserved for the crowned traditional rulers.

The statement was signed by six members of the Council led by Chief Sunny Kuku, the Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu.
Others are Chief Kunle Ogunade, the Apebi of Ijebu; Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal, The Olootu Ifore; Chief Lekan Osifeso, the Olootu Olowa; Chief Okenla, the Kakanfo; and Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, the Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode and Secretary, Awujale Afobaje Council.

The statement reads:
OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO THE PURPORTED LETTER OF CHIEF RASHEED ADEOYE ADESANYA, THE OLISA OF IJEBU ODE TO THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE ON THE FILLING OF THE AWUJALE STOOL.

The attention of the Awujale Afobaje Council has been drawn to a letter dated 14th April, 2026, circulating in the public domain, purportedly authored by Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu Ode.

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In the said letter, Chief Adesanya referred to himself as “Alaiyeluwa,” an appellation traditionally and exclusively reserved for a reigning Oba. As the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Adesanya, is not a crowned monarch, the use of such a title is inappropriate misleading and even criminal under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.

More importantly, Chief Adesanya claimed in the same letter to be the Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council. This assertion is categorically false and contrary to the facts as contained in the Minutes of the Council’s meetings.
It is also pertinent to state that the Secretary to the Ijebu-Ode Local Government was present as an observer in the meetings that were held by the Council as required under Section 16.1(d) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.

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The Chiefs Declaration of Western Nigeria, 1957, clearly stipulates the recognized Kingmakers (Afobaje) of Ijebu Ode who are vested with the responsibility of selecting an Awujale. These are:

1. The Olisa of Ijebu Ode
2. The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Ode
3. The Egbo of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
4. The Apebi of Ijebu Ode
5. The Olotufore of Ijebu Ode
6. The Olotu-Olowa of Ijebu Ode
7. The Ogbeni Odi of Ijebu Ode
8. The Ekeji Odi of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
9. The Oluwo of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
10. The Agbor of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
11. The Kakanfo of Ijebu Ode
12. The Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode
13. The Balogun of Ijebu Ode

The Declaration is SILENT on who the Chairman is.
However at the inaugural meeting of the Awujale Afobaje Council held at the Aafin Awujale on 2nd December 2025 at 11:30 a.m., all the nine duly recognized Afobaje Chiefs, except those positions currently vacant, were in attendance.

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During that meeting, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya,the Olisa, himself nominated the Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku, to serve as Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council. The nomination was unanimously supported and adopted by all the nine members present.

It is therefore not only dishonest but astonishing and shameful that the same Chief Adesanya now seeks to portray himself as Chairman of the Council. Such a claim is a clear distortion of facts and is hereby rejected in its entirety.

Furthermore, we state unequivocally on behalf of the members of the Awujale Afobaje Council that there was never any meeting of the Council held at either the residence or office of the Olisa of Ijebu Ode. Any assertion to the contrary is false and intended to mislead the public.

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For the avoidance of doubt, the Awujale Afobaje Council had convened only four meetings since its inauguration, namely:

1. Inaugural Meeting – 2nd December 2025

Held at the Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. At this meeting, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya nominated Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku, Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, as Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council.

2. Second Meeting – 13th January 2026

Held at the Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. Representatives of the Olori ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House met with the Council to discuss the criteria and procedures relating to the selection of a new Awujale.

3. Third Meeting – 19th January 2026

Held at the Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House formally submitted the names of its nominees for consideration for the Awujale stool.

4. Fourth Meeting – 20th January 2026

The Council commenced deliberations in conclave at the Oriental Hotel for the purpose of evaluating the nominees presented. However, during the course of proceedings, the Council received a letter from the Chairman of the Ijebu Ode Local Government informing it that the process had been suspended. In compliance with lawful authority of the State Government, the Council immediately halted further proceedings.

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Since that date, and as law-abiding citizens committed to due process, the Awujale Afobaje Council has not reconvened to continue the selection process.

Who Should Do What?

Traditional kingmakers, cultural leaders, and government officials are expected to play key roles in screening the contestants in line with Ijebu customs and the Chiefs Law of Ogun State.

The head of the ruling house insisted the process will be thorough to ensure the next Awujale embodies the integrity, wisdom, and progressive spirit of the late monarch.

For many Ijebu sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, the delay in filling the stool has been a period of reflection on the impact of Oba Adetona’s reign.

Sikiru Kayode Adetona: The Demise of Great Awujale

The late monarch died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91. He joined his ancestors after spending more than six decades on the throne, making him one of the longest-reigning traditional rulers in Nigeria.

He was buried the next day, Monday, July 14, at his private residence in Ijebu-Ode, in line with Islamic rites. The rites were attended by dignitaries from across the country.

In an eerie twist of fate, news of the Awujale’s passing came just hours apart from that of his close friend, former President Muhammadu Buhari, plunging the nation into a day of double mourning.

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Born on May 10, 1934, into the family of Prince Rufai Adeleke of the Anikinaiya Royal House in Imupa, Ijebu-Ode, Oba Adetona’s journey to the throne began early.

At just 26 years old, he was presented with the staff of office by the then Premier of the Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola. He succeeded Oba Adesanya Gbelegbuwa II.

Over the next 65 years, he became the face of Ijebuland — a monarch known for his candor, modern outlook, and fierce protection of Ijebu culture and commerce.

Oba Adetona was married to three women — Iyabọ Oke, Modupe Ẹkundayọ, and Oluwakẹmi Dodo-Williams — and is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who continue to mourn his loss.

His final public honour came in 2024 during his 90th birthday ceremony, when President Bola Tinubu conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON.

The award, the second highest national honour, was in recognition of his outstanding leadership and selfless service to Nigeria and to the Yoruba traditional institution.

Last Line

From education to health, and from the Ojude Oba festival to global investment in Ijebuland, his influence stretched far beyond the palace walls.

As Ijebuland marks one year without an Awujale, one thing is clear: 94 princes and one princess may be eyeing the throne, but the shoes of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona will be impossible to fill.

NOP NIGERIA