Fresh details have emerged on why the Fusengbuwa Ruling House postponed its much-anticipated nomination meeting for candidates to fill the vacant Awujale stool and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, as it was learnt that no fewer than 60 princes have indicated interest in the revered throne.

Recall that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in line to produce the Awujale following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July 2025 at the age of 91, had announced last Thursday that the nomination meeting would hold on Monday.

The announcement was contained in a letter dated December 11, 2025, and signed by the family spokesman, Abiodun Ogidan. The meeting was scheduled to take place at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode.

The ruling house had outlined strict protocols for the exercise, stating that only accredited family members would be allowed into the venue. It further directed that each aspirant would be represented by two accredited family members—one to nominate and the other to second the nomination.

Aspirants themselves were barred from attending the meeting, while all participants were urged to conduct themselves peacefully and with decorum befitting the sacred process.

However, in a subsequent statement issued on Friday by the nomination committee, the ruling house announced the postponement of the meeting.

The statement, titled “To All Members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Ijebu-Ode,” read in part: “Due to circumstances beyond the family’s control, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House Awujale Nomination Meeting scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2025, has been postponed. A new date will be communicated shortly. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Speaking exclusively on Sunday, the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr Abdulateef Owoyemi, said the postponement followed an intervention by the Ogun State Government to forestall procedural lapses that could lead to litigation.

Owoyemi explained that the ruling house was summoned to a meeting by the state government on Tuesday to review the process so far and ensure full compliance with existing laws guiding the selection of traditional rulers.

He dismissed claims that the postponement was linked to the reported interest of Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), whom the ruling house had earlier declared ineligible on the grounds that he is not a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

“The postponement of the nomination meeting has nothing to do with any individual,” Owoyemi said. “We received an invitation from the state government for a meeting on Tuesday to ensure that the process is carried out properly and does not become a fertile ground for litigation or legal controversy.

“It is simply a process of comparing notes and ensuring that we cross our Ts and dot our Is. We welcome this intervention because it will help maintain standards and ensure a flawless process. There is nothing to worry about.”

Also speaking on Sunday, the Vice Chairman of the ruling house, Prof Fassy Yusuf, confirmed that both the ruling house and the kingmakers had been invited to the meeting with the government, making the postponement unavoidable.

Yusuf disclosed that the number of princes aspiring to succeed the late Awujale currently stands at about 60.

“There are certain procedures yet to be completed, which is why the government has scheduled a meeting with us for Tuesday,” the University of Lagos Professor of Mass Communication said. “The meeting will involve the ruling house, the kingmakers and the Awujale Interregnum Committee.

“It is the outcome of that meeting that will determine when the nomination exercise will hold. The postponement has nothing to do with any individual. Anyone suggesting otherwise is being mischievous and spreading falsehood. So far, about 60 people are in the race to become the next Awujale.”

Efforts to find a successor to the highly revered Oba Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, have intensified following a directive by the local government giving the Fusengbuwa Ruling House 14 days to submit the names of nominees for the throne.