The Ogun state government, on Wednesday, January 21, halted the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland, over petitions received from security agencies and stakeholders.
The Awujale stool has been vacant since July 2025 following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, the government’s decision aims to maintain public order and protect the integrity of the selection process.
“The state government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies, and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process.
“In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.
“In taking this decision, the government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and chiefs’ law of Ogun state, 2021, which empower it to set aside an appointment if the executive council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order, and good government to do so.
“Thus, given the reports at its disposal, the government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order, and good government by halting the process in its entirety,” the statement read.
The government instructed that the decision be conveyed to the Awujale kingmakers council and the Fusengbuwa ruling house, with the latter advised to await further directives regarding the process.
This is the second time the selection process has been suspended, following an earlier halt on December 18, 2025, when the government cited procedural irregularities.
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