The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has warned against any attempt to frustrate the ongoing process for the selection of the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The ruling house said it remains united and determined to ensure that its turn to produce the next traditional ruler is not denied or undermined.
The position was made known on Saturday after an enlarged meeting of princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House held at Ile Nla, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The meeting, which was convened to deliberate on the stalled succession process, was co-chaired by the Chairman and Head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House Family, Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba; and Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf.
Speaking after the meeting, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, said the gathering was aimed at updating members on developments surrounding the succession process and the legal steps being taken by the leadership.
He said the large turnout of princes and princesses, including members who travelled from Lagos and other locations, was evidence that the ruling house remained united behind its leadership.
Owoyemi alleged that some individuals were working to frustrate the ruling house from completing the process of producing the next Awujale.
He warned that continued attempts to stall the process could create a situation where the eligibility of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce the next monarch would be questioned.
“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they will come back to say our ruling house cannot produce the next Awujale again,” Owoyemi said.
The ruling house is currently pursuing legal action involving the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, nine Ijebu-Ode kingmakers and five other defendants, seeking an order compelling the defendants to conclude the selection process.
At the meeting, members were briefed on the rationale behind the court action and endorsed decisions earlier taken by the ruling house leadership.
The family leaders called on members to remain calm and united as the legal process continues, stressing that the ruling house would pursue the matter through lawful and established channels.
The development adds a fresh dimension to the succession process, with the Fusengbuwa Ruling House insisting that its right to participate in and complete the process of selecting the next Awujale must be protected.
