Awujale stool: KWAM1 writes Ogun governor, alleges exclusion from selection process

Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, has written Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, alleging that he is being excluded from the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

Ayinde claimed that the Fusengbuwa ruling house, next in line to produce the Awujale, has been issuing directives that contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration, Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State.

He alleged that these measures are intended to disenfranchise him from contesting for the throne.

The allegations were contained in a letter dated January 8, 2026, sent to Governor Abiodun by Ayinde’s lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN.

The selection of the new Awujale has reportedly attracted over 60 contestants, with Ayinde—popularly called KWAM1—also declaring his interest.

The Fusengbuwa family, the ruling house responsible for producing the next Awujale, has previously stated that Ayinde is not a member of their family and therefore, ineligible to participate in the selection process.

Ayinde had earlier approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu Ode seeking an interim injunction to stop Abiodun and six others from proceeding with the selection.

The court refused the request, ruling that the application lacked merit.

The musician subsequently withdrew the suit, without providing a tangible reason.

In the recent letter to Abiodun, Ayinde said that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, through a letter dated January 6, 2026, from its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, gave the government’s nod for the ruling house to commence the selection process.

He expressed surprise that while family members were preparing for the meeting, one Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, the family’s Public Relations Officer, issued a notice directing candidates to collect nomination cards and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga.

Ayinde added that the directive scheduled the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, but also stated that the process would be carried out by delegates to be selected at a meeting held on January 10, 2026.

The letter read, “It is a matter of deep concern to our client that all these directives, which contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration, Obas and Chiefs Law, and the letter from the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, were included in the family’s letter dated January 6, 2026.

“It is clear that there are plans by the leadership of the ruling house to disenfranchise members desirous of participating in the nomination of candidates for the Awujale stool.

We wish to emphasize that all members of the ruling house are entitled to attend the meeting to nominate candidates of their choice.

“A group of people in the ruling house cannot usurp these rights. The directive providing for screening and nomination by delegates is inconsistent with both the spirit and letter of the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

“In the interest of justice and compliance with due process, we urge timely intervention to address these concerns, ensuring the integrity of the process and protecting our client’s rights.”

The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed receiving the letter but dismissed it as “arrant nonsense” with no bearing on the selection process.

Speaking on Sunday, Yusuf said, “It is a misguided letter. Either Wahab Shittu is being misled, or Wasiu Ayinde is being misled. The letter was directed to the government, which will respond appropriately.

“The issue being raised about screening is illogical. We have over 20,000 members in the ruling house—how does he expect us to manage the crowd?”

The family has scheduled the nomination meeting for Monday, January 12, 2026, for those contesting the vacant stool.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ogun State Government proved abortive, as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, had not responded to enquiries at the time of publication.

culled from punch