Fusengbuwa Leaders Raise Concern Over Alleged Move To Derail Awujale Selection

The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Ijebu-Ode, has rejected the purported removal of its Chairman and Olori-Ebi, Otunba Abdulateef A. Owoyemi, Deputy Chairman, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman, Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D., describing the meeting at which the purported decision was taken as unauthorised and incapable of altering the leadership of the ruling house.

The position was made known on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during a press conference in Ijebu-Ode addressed by Otunba Owoyemi on behalf of what he described as the authentic leadership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The press conference followed a purported meeting held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, during which some members of the ruling house allegedly announced the removal of the three senior leaders.

Owoyemi said the Fusengbuwa family had previously operated in three factions before the intervention of the Ogun State Government, which, according to him, facilitated efforts towards unifying the family.

He explained that the process subsequently produced himself as Chairman/Olori-Ebi, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba as Deputy Chairman/Igbakeji Olori-Ebi and Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D. as Vice Chairman/Eta Olori-Ebi.

Other members of the leadership, he said, include Pastor Prince Jeremiah Bola Salami as Secretary, Alhaji Adebisi Quadri as Treasurer and Omoba Abiodun Ogidan as Public Relations Officer.

According to Owoyemi, the delegation that represented the three factions in discussions with the Ogun State Government consisted of four representatives from each faction, making 12 delegates. He said the 12 were subsequently constituted into a Management Committee, while three additional members were later co-opted, bringing the Grand Council to 15 members.

He maintained that those behind the purported removal were not members of the Grand Council and therefore lacked the authority to convene a meeting or constitute a committee capable of altering the recognised leadership of the ruling house.

Responding to questions from journalists on what message the family had for the Ogun State Government on moving the process forward, Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D., Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, said the government had been asked to expedite action so that the process would not linger unnecessarily.

Yusuf, however, maintained that the government does not have the authority to alter or conduct the traditional selection process.

He said the role of the government should be exercised within the statutory framework after the traditional process has been completed in accordance with the established procedure.

Owoyemi, while further explaining the stage reached in the process, maintained that the challenge facing the family was not caused by its recognised leadership.

He said the family had completed its assignment and submitted the result to the kingmakers, adding that the next responsibility was for the kingmakers and the government to proceed with the relevant stages of the process.

He said the government should subsequently undertake the necessary statutory steps and make the required appointment within a reasonable time.

Owoyemi also dismissed reports suggesting that three candidates had been selected for the final stage of the process, describing such reports as speculation.

He reiterated the position of the recognised leadership that the relevant traditional process should ultimately produce one candidate, whose name would then be transmitted to the government.

He also rejected the suggestion that an individual kingmaker could independently select or impose a candidate, insisting that the process should be conducted collectively and in accordance with the established traditional procedure.

On the issue of who authorised the committee that allegedly claimed to have removed the recognised leaders of the family, a family member present at the press conference emphasised that the three senior and recognised leaders remained the authentic leadership of the ruling house.

The family member maintained that the recognised leaders were the ones who convened the relevant family meeting and initiated the process.

The Fusengbuwa leadership consequently questioned the authority of the purported committee to make decisions on behalf of the ruling house.

Owoyemi disclosed that the recognised leadership was also taking legal steps over what it described as defamatory statements, conduct and innuendos attributed to those challenging the leadership.

He said the Grand Council had resolved that those involved in the purported action and members of the alleged fact-finding committee should be regarded as acting against the interest of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The council, he added, had urged the government and the general public to disregard resolutions or allegations emanating from the group.

He further announced that the Grand Council had passed a vote of confidence in the leadership comprising Otunba Abdulateef A. Owoyemi, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba and Chief Fassy Adetokunboh O. Yusuf, Ph.D.

The Fusengbuwa leadership appealed to mainstream and social media practitioners to exercise caution in reporting the dispute.

Owoyemi urged journalists to verify information directly with those involved before publication, particularly reports concerning the leadership of the ruling house and the Awujale succession process.

He cautioned against relying on speculation or unverified information capable of damaging the reputation of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

He urged the media to publish only information that could be properly verified and, where verification was not possible, to refrain from publication.

The press conference was attended by members and representatives of other royal families as well as senior members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Those present included Prince Adekunle Adenugba of the Folagbade Family; Biodun Sonibare, representing Prince Rasaq Sonibare; Alhaji Yusuf Olaide of the Bubiade Royal House; Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi; Deputy Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Family, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba; Head of the Jadiara Family, Prince Akiila Odedina; Alhaji Mutiu Adenuga; Pastor Prince Bola Salami, among others.

The Fusengbuwa leadership maintained that the traditional selection process should be allowed to run its course, with each stakeholder discharging the responsibility assigned to it.

It also called for the process to be concluded without unnecessary delay, while insisting that the traditional selection should produce one candidate whose name would subsequently be transmitted to the government for the appropriate statutory action.