By Johnson Dairo Daniel
BoldNEWS Africa
Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State
Religious and political leaders in Ijebuland have raised concerns over the prolonged process surrounding the selection of a successor to the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, urging the Ogun State Government and other relevant stakeholders to lift the embargo on the process and ensure its speedy conclusion.
The call was made separately by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Miftaudeen Gbadegesin Ayanbadejo; the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ijebu, Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Rotimi Oludipe; and the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Chief Olu Okuboyejo.
The leaders spoke while fielding questions from journalists at the commissioning of 52 boreholes donated to residents of Ijebu-Ode by Prince Abimbola Onabajo and his wife, Abayomi Onabajo, recently. BoldNEWS Africa was there.
The selection process for the next Awujale was suspended in January 2026, a development that has continued to generate public interest and concern among indigenes and residents of Ijebuland.
While acknowledging the importance of due process and adherence to the traditional procedures governing the emergence of a new Awujale, the leaders urged all stakeholders to approach the process with a greater sense of responsibility, transparency and urgency.
According to them, the Awujale stool occupies a significant place in the history, culture, unity and traditional institution of Ijebuland, making the emergence of a new monarch a matter of collective importance beyond the individual royal families involved in the selection.
They appealed to the relevant traditional authorities, kingmakers and other stakeholders to ensure that the process is conducted in accordance with established tradition and applicable rules, while avoiding unnecessary delays that could further heighten anxiety and uncertainty among the people.
The religious leaders also stressed the need for peace, unity and mutual respect throughout the selection process, noting that the eventual emergence of the next Awujale should be capable of commanding broad respect and acceptance across Ijebuland.
They further urged all interested parties to place the collective interest of Ijebuland above personal, political or sectional considerations, describing the Awujale stool as a revered institution with historical responsibilities to both present and future generations.
The call comes amid growing public interest in the succession process and increasing expectations among residents and indigenes of Ijebuland for the emergence of a new custodian of the revered Awujale throne.
The leaders therefore appealed to all parties involved to work collectively towards a peaceful, credible and timely conclusion of the selection process, stressing that whatever decision is eventually reached should strengthen, rather than divide, the unity, peace and traditional heritage of Ijebuland.
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