Following the death of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, tension has continued to rise over the process of selecting his successor, as the Ogun State Police Command reportedly summoned nine kingmakers from Ijebu-Ode over allegations of bribery and financial inducement linked to the Awujale stool.
The police invitation, which has generated serious controversy across Ijebuland, was said to have been issued following petitions alleging that some kingmakers accepted bribes in an attempt to influence the selection of the next Awujale. Reports indicate that this is not the first invitation, as the kingmakers had allegedly been invited previously for questioning over the same matter.
The development has stirred reactions among royal families, traditional stakeholders, and residents of Ijebu-Ode, with many expressing concern that the revered traditional institution is being dragged into unnecessary scandal. The Awujale stool remains one of the most prestigious traditional thrones in Yorubaland, and any controversy surrounding its succession naturally attracts significant public attention.
The late Oba Adetona, who passed away in July 2025 after over six decades on the throne, was one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning monarchs and a highly respected traditional ruler whose reign brought immense prestige to Ijebuland. Following his death, the process for selecting a new Awujale officially began, with the Fusengbuwa Ruling House signaling readiness to produce the next monarch through the traditional Gbedu drum rites, as it is their turn according to the rotational ruling house arrangement in Ijebu-Ode.
Under the traditional arrangement, Ijebu-Ode recognizes four ruling houses: Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, Fidipote, and Gbelegbuwa. Since the late monarch came from the Anikinaiya ruling house, the next Awujale is expected to emerge from the Fusengbuwa ruling house. This succession process is usually guided by tradition, family consultations, kingmakers, and spiritual consultation through Ifa, making any allegation of bribery particularly sensitive.
Sources close to the matter suggest that the bribery allegations center on claims that certain interested parties may have attempted to financially influence the decision of the kingmakers in favor of specific candidates. While the full details of the police investigation remain unclear, the summons have intensified public scrutiny and renewed calls for transparency and strict adherence to tradition.
Some stakeholders insist that the process must remain sacred and free from political interference or financial manipulation. Others have warned that any attempt to compromise the integrity of the Awujale selection process could damage the cultural and spiritual credibility of the throne.
The Ogun State Government had earlier distanced itself from alleged endorsements surrounding the stool and reportedly moved to halt premature selection claims, emphasizing that due process must be followed. This further reflects the sensitivity of the succession process and the determination of authorities to prevent irregularities.
As investigations continue, many in Ijebuland are watching closely, hoping that the eventual emergence of the next Awujale will reflect justice, tradition, and the dignity associated with one of Yorubaland’s most revered royal institutions. For many, the throne is not merely a political seat, but a sacred symbol of history, identity, and ancestral continuity.
