Indigenes and residents of Ijebu Ode took to the streets on Friday morning, protesting what they described as moves by “powerful interests” to impose the next Awujale.
The protesters marched from the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Archway to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Headquarters to register their opposition to the alleged interference.
The protest followed a circular issued by the Ogun State Government on January 20, 2026, which directed the kingmakers to halt further action on selecting a candidate from the 95 nominees submitted by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Leaders of the ruling house include Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, the Olori Ebi; Prince Adedokun Ajidagba, Deputy Olori Ebi; and Professor Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman. The circular, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, has sparked accusations that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is attempting to influence the traditional process to impose a preferred candidate.
Speaking during the peaceful protest, Mrs. Adenugba Obileye said the march was aimed at expressing the community’s anger over what she described as “thickening plots to interfere with the job of the kingmakers” and to stop the emergence of an Awujale outside due process.
“We are here to register our displeasure and demand that the kingmakers be allowed to perform their constitutional duty without interference. The people of Ijebu will not accept any attempt to impose a candidate outside the traditional process,” she said.
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Rented protesters