By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The succession crisis surrounding the vacant Awujale stool of Ijebuland took a dramatic turn at the weekend as the Awujale Afobaje Council publicly distanced itself from an alleged letter reportedly sent by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, recommending names for consideration in the selection of a new Awujale.
The council described the move as unauthorised, misleading and contrary to the established legal and traditional framework that guides the selection of the paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
Speaking during a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, the Secretary of the Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, maintained that the Awujale selection process remains suspended following a directive issued by the Ogun State government on January 20, 2026.
According to him, the council has neither reconvened nor taken any action concerning the succession process since the suspension order was issued.
“As law-abiding citizens, we have not sat in council since January 20, 2026, when the state government suspended the process. We have held no meetings and taken no decisions regarding the selection of a new Awujale,” Odulaja said.
He stressed that any letter purportedly emanating from the kingmakers’ council during the period of suspension could not have originated from the Afobaje Council.
“We are not aware of the letter allegedly sent to the governor, and we are not a party to it. The council has not met, discussed or authorised any correspondence on the selection process since the suspension was announced,” he stated.
Odulaja further faulted Chief Adesanya for allegedly presenting himself as chairman of the kingmakers’ council, insisting that such a claim was false.
“The Olisa is not the chairman of the Afobaje Council. The chairman of the council is the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku. Any official communication regarding the activities of the council ought to be directed to him,” he said.
He explained that the Afobaje Council consists of nine members, and that the Olisa occupies only one of those seats.
“There are nine members in the council. The Olisa is one of them. Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku is the chairman, I serve as secretary, while there are seven other members. There is no basis for anyone to claim sole authority on behalf of the council,” Odulaja added.
The Afobaje secretary acknowledged that Olisa heads the Ilamuren Council, but emphasised that the body is distinct from the Afobaje Council, which is legally empowered to select a new Awujale.
“He is the head of the Ilamuren Council, and that is not in dispute. However, the Ilamuren Council and the Afobaje Council are separate entities with different responsibilities. He is not chairman of the kingmakers,” he said.
Odulaja maintained that the process for selecting an Awujale is guided by law and not by personal interpretation of traditional customs.
“There is a law regulating the selection of an Awujale. When the Afobaje Council was constituted, members unanimously elected Chief Sonny Kuku as chairman. Interestingly, the nomination was moved by Chief Rasheed Adesanya himself and accepted by all members,” he disclosed.
He also distinguished the kingmakers’ council from the interim administrative committee established after the death of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
“The government constituted an interim arrangement following the passing of our revered monarch, and Chief Kuku was appointed chairman of that body. That is separate from the Afobaje Council,” he clarified.
He further revealed that he had not met or interacted with the Olisa since the suspension took effect in January.
“The last time we all sat together was January 20. Since then, there has been no meeting, and I have not even seen the Olisa,” he added.
Despite the growing controversy, the Afobaje Council reiterated that the selection process remains on hold pending further directives from the Ogun State Government.
“The position of the council is clear. The process remains suspended, and no lawful step can be taken until the government lifts that suspension,” Odulaja stated.
The Awujale stool has remained vacant since the passage of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, with stakeholders across Ijebuland awaiting the resumption of the formal succession process.
Recall that Olisa, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, in a telephone conversation last Thursday, denied writing any letter to the governor.
He said, “I do not know anything about the letter they are referring to. I am not a party to it, and I never authored such a document. There are people who may want to tarnish my reputation, but I have absolutely nothing to do with that letter.”
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