The race for the vacant Awujale stool of Ijebu land formally took off on Monday as the Fusengbuwa ruling house nominated 95 contenders—94 princes and one princess—for the revered throne, with popular Fuji musician Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) conspicuously absent.
The aspirants emerged during a family meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, marking a major step in the process to select the next Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land.
The nomination exercise was conducted by the leadership of the Fusengbuwa ruling house and observed by officials of the Ijebu Ode Local Government, in line with traditional and administrative procedures.
The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, alongside his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf. The Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government, Abiodun Oke, and other council officials were present as observers.
Among those nominated are Giwa Abiodun Onanuga, husband of former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Dr. Kunle Hassan, an ophthalmologist and founder of Eyes Foundation Hospital; and Otunba Fatai Arowolo of Aron Construction.
The sole female aspirant is Oluwakemi Onanuga, a legal practitioner.
Each aspirant was represented at the meeting by two relatives—one to propose and another to second the nomination—after which the ruling house formally registered the candidates.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away at the age of 91 after a historic 65-year reign.
Speaking after the exercise, Otunba Owoyemi commended members of the ruling house for a peaceful and orderly nomination process, noting that extensive traditional consultations preceded the meeting.
“We have successfully and harmoniously nominated 95 candidates. It is now left for the kingmakers to conscientiously select one of them as the next Awujale,” he said.
Owoyemi expressed optimism that a new monarch would emerge within one month and disclosed that all contestants had signed undertakings to accept the outcome of the process and refrain from litigation.
The nominations come amid earlier controversy over claims by Fuji star Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) to the throne. The Fusengbuwa ruling house, however, had declared that the musician is not a member of the family and therefore ineligible.
Ayinde was neither present at the meeting nor nominated by any family, effectively excluding him from the succession race.
