The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has formally rejected the lineage claim submitted by Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), declaring the linkage form he filed for the Awujale selection process “null, void, and of no consequence.”

In a letter dated December 11, 2025, and addressed to the musician, the ruling house said its verification exercise found no evidence linking Ayinde to the Jadiara Royal House or the larger Fusengbuwa lineage, whose turn it is to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

Signed by the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, the letter faulted the certification of Ayinde’s form, which was endorsed by one Adetayo Abayomi Oduneye, described as “a purported family unit head” who is not recognised within the Jadiara Royal House.

The letter also raised questions about the timeline of the endorsement, noting that the form was certified on December 8, two days before Ayinde signed it on December 10, describing the document as “presigned.”

“Our extensive investigation has not revealed any proof of your membership of the Jadiara Royal House or indeed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House,” the statement read.

It further maintained that Oduneye lacked any authority to sign on behalf of the family, stressing that he had “no locus standi to certify lineage documents.”

“Consequently, the completed linkage lineage form is hereby declared null, void and of no consequence. For the avoidance of doubt, your claim to membership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is rejected,” it added.

The development comes amid heightened interest in the succession process following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July after a historic 65-year reign.

Earlier on Thursday, members of the ruling house had publicly disowned the musician, insisting that neither he nor his father had any genealogical ties to their lineage.

KWAM1 had submitted his lineage form after being granted an additional five days beyond the official December 5 deadline, a move that shocked many, given his long-established association with the Fidipote Ruling House, through which he holds the title of Olori Omooba of Ijebuland.

His submission claimed descent from the Setejoye family unit of the Jadiara Royal House through his father, Adisa Adesanya Anifowoshe, and was countersigned by Oduneye. But multiple family heads, including those of the Jadiara and Bubiade units, had already publicly denied any genealogical connection to him.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to address Ayinde’s submission and resolve the controversies surrounding his claim.