Don’t violate customary law, Ijebu tradition in the selection process of new Awujale, says Olawunmi

Don’t violate customary law, Ijebu tradition in the selection process of new Awujale, says Olawunmi

By Olayinka Olukoya

The Assistant Secretary of the four ruling houses of the Awujale (Idile Oba Merin Awujale) and the Anikilaya ruling house, Prince Samuel Olawunmi, had urged the kingmakers not to violate the Customary law and Ijebu tradition in the process of selecting the new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Olawunmi while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Ijebu-Ode, said that Ijebu tradition does not favour candidates chosen based on influence or affluence.

He reminded the stance of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on why his successor must not be selected based on wealth or social connections.

He cited historical records from the National Archives showing that past Awujales were selected strictly through traditional customs.

“Historically, former Awujales were ordinary Ijebu citizens with regular professions like hunter, herbalist, native doctor, barber, and even student. For example, Awujale Sikiru Adetona was an undergraduate student before ascending the throne. This example shows that the Awujale stool has always been occupied by men from various walks of life, without regard to wealth, power, or influence,” he said.

Prince Olawunmi further cautioned against any attempt to exclude other ruling houses from the succession process.

“The Awujale stool belongs to the four ruling houses of Ijebu-Ode, not just the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. While it is true that Fusengbuwa has the turn to present candidates at this time, that right does not override Ijebuland’s customary laws, customs, and traditions,” he stressed.

Commenting on the lasting impact of late Prince Adebisi Fasasi Adeyemi, or Obanlefa of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prince Olawunmi highlighted that Obanlefa’s 25-year period as the family’s Olori-Ebi (head) stands as a universally accepted and irrefutable fact within Ijebu history.

“Obanlefa’s era solidified the existing unity amongst the four Ruling Houses of the Awujale (Idile Oba Merin). The four Ruling Houses as children of the same ancestral father in the first Awujale, hold meetings on regular basis since time immemorial. The current Head of the four Ruling Houses, Alhaji Toheeb Alaga who doubles as the Head of the Anikinaiya Ruling House has been a rallying point for this harmony, love and unity being enjoyed in the Awujale of Ijebuland Ruling Houses.”

“As a young prince growing up with my uncles, late Pa. Abdul-Kafar Bifajoko Olowu and late Prince (Dr) Adebola Sanya, the then Family Head (Olori-Ebi) and Secretary of Oba Anikinaiya Ruling House respectively, I knew the late Prince Fasasi Adebisi Adeyemi, known as Obanlefa, the great-grandson of Olufadekemi, also called Olufadi, the eldest male Abidagba of Awujale Fusengbuwa.

“Descendants from the eight units (Idi Igi meejo) of Fusengbuwa Ruling House known to the four Ruling Houses of the Awujale represent a direct continuation of formally recognized heirs of the Awujale Fusengbuwa. Their legitimacy is rooted in hereditary succession and the enduring values of stability, legacy, and cultural legitimacy,” he said.

Speaking further on the legal framework guiding the Awujale selection process, Prince Olawunmi referenced the declaration made under Section 4(2) of the 1957 Chiefs Law, which governs the succession of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

According to him, the customary law stipulates that the stool be filled by the rightful male descendants of the Abidagba Okunrin line, while male descendants from the Abidagba Obirin and Abidoye lines are also considered in that order.

“The 2021 Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State reinforces this established legal precedent, mandating that both the leaders proposing candidates in the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Ijebu Kingmakers selecting the next Awujale of Ijebu land to meticulously observe the 1957 Chiefs Law to safeguard our cherished traditional institution from irreversible harm.”

Prince Olawunmi urged the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the kingmakers to focus on unity and continuity during this crucial period of royal transition. He emphasized that the legitimacy of any candidate must be based on traceable lineage and adherence to Ijebu customs.

“I urge our elders in the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the kingmakers to remain guided by fairness and historical truth as they work to correct past injustices.”

“Leaders like Alhaji Lateef Owoyemi, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba and others should follow the noble example of late Baba Obanlefa in upholding the integrity of the royal house during the process of selecting the next Awujale of Ijebuland and ensure that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House remain an indivisible entity worthy of emulation” he concluded.