The Department of State Services (DSS), Ogun State Command, has invited nominees for the stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland for screening, even as the Ogun State Government has again suspended the selection process.
The state government, in a circular dated January 20, 2026, placed the process on hold for the second time.
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration had earlier halted the exercise on December 18, 2025, citing procedural errors.
On January 6, 2026, the government directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to resume the process and conclude it within 14 days.
However, just as the Awujale kingmakers were set to select one candidate from the 95 nominees, the state government again suspended the exercise through a letter dated January 20, 2026, citing security concerns and the need to protect the integrity of the traditional stool.
One of the nominees told The Nation that they were invited to appear before the DSS office in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday, the same day and time they were expected to be at the palace.
Sveral nominees entering the DSS office located at Igbeba GRA, opposite the NTA office in Ijebu-Ode.
A source close to the DSS disclosed that the invitation was for profiling purposes. The source added that individuals required by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House were expected to participate in the palace process, noting that those currently needed were at the palace for screening by the kingmakers.
“It is important to clarify that the exercise was not placed on hold by the DSS or any security agency. Rather, the State Government, through an official circular already in the public domain, directed that the exercise be suspended.
“You should also be aware that prior to the postponement of the screening of nominees by the Kingmakers, the nominees were expected to visit the DSS office for profiling. This profiling is a prerequisite for comprehensive vetting and involves filling out forms that provide information necessary to vet all communities involved.
“The nominees were scheduled to come to the DSS office after the palace screening. The exercise was planned to run over several days, covering all nominees. Invitations were duly sent to them through the Palace Secretary, requesting them to report to the DSS office for the profiling exercise.
“However, while the nominees were preparing to come, another circular was issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs suspending all activities related to the Awujale succession. The circular, which is also in the public domain, cited several grounds necessitating government intervention.
“Consequently, the DSS has decided to suspend the planned vetting as well. This explains why some of the nominees were seen around without the exercise proceeding.
“It is important to stress that the DSS should not be associated with any misinformation. Any report or public communication should clearly reflect that the suspension was a government decision, not an action initiated by the DSS. Misrepresenting this could lead to serious consequences.
“We are not attempting to control anyone’s narrative or suppress information. Our only concern is accuracy and the avoidance of misinformation. As professionals, once clarification is provided, it is expected to be respected.
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“In summary, the stoppage of the exercise was a government decision, not one taken by the DSS and there is no intention to gag the press or restrict lawful reporting—only to ensure that facts are correctly presented to the public.”
Meanwhile, armed security operatives drawn from the police, Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun, and So-Safe Corps have beefed up security along Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Archway leading to the Ijebu – Ode palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland over concerns that some powerful interests are alleged to have infiltrated the planned meeting of the Kingmakers in a location within the facility ostensibly to foist a candidate on them.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House leaders – Otunba Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi (Olori Ebi), Prince Adedokun Ajidagba (Deputy Olori-Ebi), Professor Fassy Yusuf (Vice Chairman), and others had on Monday, January 19, submitted the list bearing names of the 95 nominees (candidates) to the kingmakers who were expected to meet at the Palace to begin the process of selecting one candidate out of the 95 nominees, but security operatives were sighted manning the entrance.
A letter by the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, dated 20, January, 2026 directing the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to halt further steps on the selection process of the next Awujale until further notice.
“The state Government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process,” the letter reads in part.
Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, Honourable Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, who signed the letter and addressed to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Chairman, cited security concerns and the need to protect public order and the integrity of the stool as reasons for the decision.
“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,” he stated.
The letter reads, “I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.
“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land generally and in Ogun State particularly, where it is one of the paramount stools. Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba SikiruAdetona, who reigned for sixty-five (65) years, significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool. These realities place a lot of focus, attention, and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.
“In this regard, 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 of 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.
“Therefore, the State Government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House immediately. The latter, particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
The Nation reports that a prince already endorsed by the Oracle (Ifa) as the best candidate to succeed late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona and transform Ijebuland to a greater height was among the 95 nominees that emerged recently in the race for the throne of Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State.
The Olori-Ebi of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, disclosed it after the conclusion of the nomination process at the Bisirodipe Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode, and expressed the hope that Kingmakers and the Ogun State Government would do well to select one candidate among the nominees that aligns with the yearnings of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, their ancestors, and Almighty God as revealed by the Oracle (Ifa).
The Nation reports that Princess Oluwakemi Adetokunboh, Prince Adebisi Kadiri, a retired Permanent Secretary, Lagos State, Prince Abdul – Fatai Arowolo of Aeron Construction, an engineering firm, Prince Olumuyiwa Adeyemi, Prince Okeowo Obafemi, and Prince Adegbenga Bakare were among the 95 nominees jostling to become the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Owoyemi, who is Otunba Jadiara of Ijebuland and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), revealed that the royal family had carried out extensive traditional research to decide to support one candidate among the 95, whom he declined to name.
The list bearing names of the 95 nominees was endorsed by the quartet of the Olori – Ebi Fusengbuwa house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, his Deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf, and Pastor Bolarinde Salami (Secretary of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House), while the nomination process had in attendance officials of the Ijebu Ode Local Government, led by the Secretary to Local Government, Hon. Adebanjo Oke, as observers
