The Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, has cautioned the ruling houses of Fidipote, Gbelegbuwa and Anikilaya against acts capable of derailing the selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

The Awujale stool, which was occupied for 65 years by the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona of the Anikilaya ruling house until his passing on July 13 at the age of 91, rotates among four ruling houses: Fidipote, Gbelegbuwa, Anikilaya, and Fusengbuwa. With Anikilaya having last produced the monarch, tradition dictates that the Fusengbuwa family is next in line.

Alebiosu gave the warning on Tuesday during a virtual meeting with elders of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, led by their head, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi. The visit followed allegations by Owoyemi that the other three ruling houses were meddling in Fusengbuwa’s internal affairs and attempting to sow division.

Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said:

“We appeal to you to convene an urgent meeting with leaders of the three other ruling houses and request them to leave Fusengbuwa alone to resolve our internal issues. They should stop fanning the embers of discord or promoting the divisive agenda of a dissident group bent on undermining the entire family.

Fusengbuwa has never interfered in the affairs of other houses. In the name of Almighty God and in reverence for our noble ancestors, we implore them to stop meddling. Their actions set a dangerous precedent with potentially disastrous consequences.”

In his response, Alebiosu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to due process, insisting that the throne must revert to Fusengbuwa in line with tradition.

“I want to assure you that the government is on top of the matter. We won’t allow or encourage any unbecoming act. This is not a banana republic. No interloper will be allowed. Each ruling house has its turn, and now it is Fusengbuwa’s turn. The family has capable sons to occupy the stool, and the right thing will be done,” he said.

The council boss added that the matter would be reported to the governor and pledged to review documents already submitted by the Fusengbuwa ruling house.

Dignitaries present at the meeting included the Dagburewe of Idowa Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Okuribido; the Saderiren of Isoyin, Oba Abdurasheed Salami; and the Onirete of Irete, Oba Abdulganiyu Awokoya-Yesufu, among others.