The stalled process to select a new Awujale of Ijebuland has taken a dramatic turn, as nominees vying for the revered stool have been summoned by the Department of State Services (DSS) for a scheduled engagement in Ijebu-Ode.
The invitation, dated January 20, was issued by the Secretary of the Awujale Afobaje Council and forwarded to the heads of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House—Lateef Owoyemi, Dokun Ajidagba, and Fassy Yusuf. The directive mandates that all nominees present themselves at the DSS office on NTA Road, Ijebu-Ode.
In a related move, the Awujale Kingmakers Council has canceled a planned meet-and-greet session scheduled for Wednesday. A separate notice advised all nominees to disregard the earlier meeting and to comply fully with the DSS directive.
This intervention by the state security agency has further heightened political and traditional tensions surrounding the succession to the throne, which has been vacant since the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona last year.
The development comes barely 24 hours after the Ogun State Government, for the second time, ordered the immediate suspension of the entire selection process. The state cited multiple petitions and security reports as grounds for the halt, emphasizing the need to preserve public order and the integrity of the paramount stool.
Analysts suggest the DSS invitation indicates deeper concerns over the conduct and credibility of the aspirants, as well as potential security implications of a disputed succession. The involvement of a federal agency adds a new layer of oversight to what is traditionally a local chieftaincy process.
There has been no official statement from the DSS regarding the nature or purpose of the engagement. All parties are now awaiting the outcome of this unprecedented security screening as the journey to fill one of Yorubaland’s most influential thrones enters a cautious, state-monitored phase.
