Awujale: Succession Process Begins As Fusengbuwa, Two Other Ruling Houses Lobby

Awujale: Succession Process Begins As Fusengbuwa, Two Other Ruling Houses Lobby

Following the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, attention is turning to the process of selecting his successor.

Although the official succession activities are deferred until after the mourning period, three ruling houses have begun consultations.

According to the Western State Chieftaincy Declarations issued under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law of 1957, the Awujale’s throne rotates among four ruling houses: Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote.

Oba Adetona hailed from the Anikinaiya house, placing the Fusengbuwa house next in line to produce the new monarch.

Sources indicate that leaders within the Fusengbuwa ruling house are holding internal consultations to prepare for the formal nomination process.

The declarations stipulate that the ruling house must convene a family meeting to nominate one or more candidates, who are then presented to the Odis—a subset of the 13 recognized kingmakers.

The kingmakers are drawn from four principal classes: Ilamuren, Odi, Osugbo, and Pampa.

The Ilamuren class includes six chiefs, the Odi class has two, Osugbo has one, and Pampa contributes four members. The Odis receive the nominations and forward them to the full body of kingmakers, who must reach a unanimous decision to appoint the new Awujale.

The succession process has historically followed the rotational order. Oba Adetona ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, succeeding Oba Daniel Richardson Adesanya of the Gbelegbuwa house, who reigned until 1959. This transition respected the established rotation, reinforcing expectations that the Fusengbuwa house will produce the next Awujale.

While male candidates are traditionally preferred, the chieftaincy declarations allow for a female nominee if no suitable male is available. In such cases, the female candidate’s mother must be an Abidagba—defined as a woman who gave birth while her husband was reigning as Oba.

If no Abidagba exists, a child of an Oba born before his reign may be considered.

Historical records show that three women have held the Awujale title: Oba Gadegun in 1644, Oba Ore Jeje in 1749, and Oba Sapennuwa Ruwa Koye in 1750.

The throne of the Awujale, one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional institutions, has existed for over six centuries. The selection of a new monarch is expected to follow the same deliberate and customary procedures that have guided Ijebuland for generations.

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