The Jadiara Royal House, a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, has dismissed as misleading and baseless a report by Ikokore Reporters which purportedly listed Bode Onanuga, Bimbo Onabanjo and Folu Aderibigbe as the three candidates for consultation in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
The royal house made its position known in a press statement dated August 10, 2026, signed by Otunba Prince Akinola Odedina DBA, FCA, Oloriebi, Jadiara Royal House.
According to the statement, Ikokore Reporters lacks the traditional, statutory or customary authority to determine or announce candidates for the Awujale stool.
The royal house specifically rejected the suggestion that a three-candidate consensus had been reached, stating that “3-candidate consensus does not exist.”
It maintained that the responsibility for determining qualified candidates rests with the appropriate ruling house, kingmakers and other relevant institutions, in accordance with established tradition and applicable laws.
The Jadiara Royal House further stressed the need for due process, saying all qualified aspirants should be assessed on the basis of custom and law rather than media campaigns.
It also rejected what it described as conspiracy claims intended to weaken the Awujale institution, arguing that such allegations must be supported by evidence and should not be based on speculation.
The royal house called for fairness in media coverage of the succession process, particularly in the treatment of other aspirants. It expressed concern over the manner in which Ademorin Kuye was allegedly mentioned in the publication, describing such treatment as dismissive and denigrating.
It urged Ikokore Reporters and other media organisations to operate on a level playing field and avoid what it described as biased reporting.
The statement also appealed to journalists, bloggers and members of the public to rely on official communications and refrain from circulating unverified reports capable of creating tension and division.
On the role of government, the royal house called on the Ogun State Government to discharge its responsibilities transparently and without pressure, saying the government should be allowed to perform its role in accordance with the law.
The Jadiara Royal House reaffirmed its commitment to peace and the dignity of the Awujale institution, stressing that its ultimate objective is the lawful emergence of a new Awujale who enjoys the confidence of the people of Ijebuland.
The development adds another voice to the ongoing discussions surrounding the succession process for the vacant Awujale stool, with stakeholders increasingly calling for adherence to tradition, due process and the applicable legal framework.
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