Awujale stool: KWAM1 petitions Ogun gov over alleged exclusion

Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM1, has petitioned Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, over what he described as his exclusion from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

In a letter dated January 8, 2026, and written by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, Ayinde alleged that the Fusengbuwa ruling house—next in line to produce the Awujale—has been issuing directives that violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State.

He claimed the actions were deliberately designed to prevent him from contesting for the throne.

The selection process for the vacant Awujale stool has reportedly attracted more than 60 aspirants, including Ayinde.

However, the Fusengbuwa family has maintained that the musician is not a member of the ruling house and is therefore not qualified to participate.

Ayinde had earlier approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to halt the selection process.

The court dismissed the application for lack of merit, after which he withdrew the suit without stating a reason.

In his latest letter to the governor, Ayinde referenced a January 6, 2026 letter from the Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo, which reportedly gave approval for the ruling house to commence the selection process.

He said he was surprised that, while family members were preparing for a meeting, the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, issued a notice directing aspirants to obtain nomination forms and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga.

According to the letter, the nomination exercise was fixed for Monday, January 12, 2026, but would be conducted through delegates to be chosen at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.

Ayinde argued that the arrangement contravenes existing laws governing chieftaincy matters, stressing that all members of the ruling house have the right to participate directly in the nomination process. He urged the governor to intervene to ensure fairness, due process, and the protection of his rights.

Reacting to the development, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed receipt of the letter but dismissed its content. He described it as misguided and lacking relevance to the selection exercise.

Yusuf argued that screening was necessary, noting that the ruling house has over 20,000 members, making it impractical for all to participate directly in the process. He added that the family had scheduled the nomination meeting for Monday, January 12, 2026.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away at the age of 91 after reigning for 65 years.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Ogun State Government were unsuccessful, as the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, had not replied to enquiries as of the time of filing this report.