The Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has called for a fresh process to select the next Awujale of Ijebuland, citing alleged procedural breaches and lack of adequate consultation in the previous exercise.
The ruling house also elected Omooba Otukayode Hakeem Otufale as its new Olori Ebi at a meeting held on Sunday at Ule Nla Agunsebi Hall, Ijebu Ode.
The meeting was attended by elders, princes and heads of various family units, who resolved to reposition the ruling house, strengthen unity and ensure that its role in the selection of the next Awujale is recognised.
The family said its demand for a fresh process followed concerns over the conduct of the earlier exercise, which members alleged was characterised by procedural infractions, inadequate consultation and other actions that undermined confidence in the process.
Speaking at the meeting, Otunba Kehinde Alebiosun, who represented the Tunwase Ruling House, said the decision to regroup was prompted by what he described as an embarrassing handling of the selection exercise by previous leaders.
Alebiosun alleged that some of those who managed the process failed to follow established procedures and did not adequately consult members of the ruling house.
“It is unfortunate that the people who handled the situation surrounding the selection of the Awujale failed to follow the necessary procedures. But thank God for the opportunity to right the wrong,” he said.
He said the renewed effort was aimed at restoring unity within the ruling house and ensuring that the family plays its proper role in choosing the next occupant of the Awujale stool.
Following the meeting, representatives of the various family units presented a certificate to Otufale, formally recognising him as the new Olori Ebi.
In his acceptance speech, Otufale pledged to lead the ruling house with transparency and accountability while calling for a review of the previous selection exercise.
He questioned the conduct of the committee that handled the process, alleging that it failed to function collectively and did not provide an account of funds purportedly collected from aspirants.
According to him, government officials had advised those handling the process that payment should not determine the selection of the next Awujale and that monies collected from aspirants should be refunded.
“Awujale Ijebu Ode stool isn’t for sale,” Otufale said.
He alleged that no refunds had been made and that the ruling house had not received any statement of account showing the amount collected, the account into which the money was paid or details of any refunds.
Otufale challenged anyone who claimed that refunds had been made to produce documentary evidence for verification by the relevant authorities.
He also alleged that some aspirants were excluded from meetings and questioned how 86 names were submitted to the kingmakers without, according to him, adequate screening.
He said the circumstances surrounding the process required clarification to determine whether those entrusted with the exercise properly discharged their responsibilities.
Otufale further raised questions about reports that two former chairmen associated with the selection process had acquired new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles. He called for the circumstances surrounding the purchases to be established.
He said the former chairmen no longer enjoyed the confidence of the ruling house and should not be given further responsibilities relating to the selection of the Awujale.
On reports of legal proceedings instituted by some former leaders over the selection exercise, Otufale said the ruling house was not aware of, or party to, any action against the Ogun State Government.
He said the new leadership would communicate its position to the court and clarify that the individuals involved were not authorised to represent the ruling house.
“We are not willing or interested in taking the government to court. The government has been able to stop the stool from being stolen, and when the restart button is pressed, we shall do a better job in conducting the selection process than the mess created by the trio,” he said.
Otufale said his election as Olori Ebi followed the established procedures of the ruling house and disclosed that an acting chairman had also been appointed.
He added that letters had been sent to the state government and the kingmakers notifying them of the new leadership and the decisions reached at the meeting.
The new Olori Ebi pledged to ensure that every qualified member of the ruling house received equal treatment during the selection process.
