Ogun Govt Suspends Awujale Selection Process After KWAM 1 Petition

The Ogun State Government has suspended the ongoing process to select a new Awujale of Ijebuland, citing multiple petitions, security concerns and the need to maintain public order and protect the integrity of the revered royal stool.

The suspension followed a petition submitted earlier this month by veteran Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, who urged the state executive council to nullify the Awujale nomination exercise conducted on January 12, 2026.

KWAM 1’s petition is one of several complaints received by the state government from stakeholders and security agencies over the selection process.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, said the decision to halt the process was taken proactively in the interest of peace, order and good governance.

Hamzat explained that the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, empowers the state executive council to set aside or suspend a chieftaincy appointment where it is considered necessary in the public interest.

He noted that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, significantly elevated the prestige and national relevance of the Awujale stool, placing the succession process under intense public and national scrutiny.

According to the commissioner, the chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area has been directed to immediately communicate the suspension to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

He advised the ruling house and other stakeholders to suspend all actions related to the selection process pending further directives from the state government.

The statement, however, did not disclose the specific details of the petitions or security reports that informed the decision, nor did it provide a timeline for when the selection process would resume.