New Fusengbuwa Head Rejects ‘Moneybags’ in Awujale Succession

The head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdul-Lateef Adedayo Owoyemi, has made a resolute stand against the influence of money and politics in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland. Speaking at his country home in Idowa-Ijebu, Owoyemi urged Governor Dapo Abiodun and the kingmakers to ensure that only the most competent and deserving candidate emerges to fill the vacant stool.

Owoyemi, a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), revealed that the ruling house has already turned down financial offers from at least eight aspirants seeking to buy their way to the throne. “The stool of the Awujale is not for the highest bidder,” he declared, vowing that the selection process will be guided by transparency and tradition.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house is next in line to produce a candidate for the Awujale throne, a process that was triggered by the passing of the late monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, on July 13, 2025. Owoyemi’s comments come amidst a growing concern within the community that the selection could be compromised by political and financial interests.

He also clarified that the ruling house has not set up any screening committee or begun the formal selection process, debunking claims circulating in the public. The new Olori-Ebi, whose leadership was recently affirmed by a Court of Appeal judgment, promised to provide upright and unifying leadership to the royal family.