Awujale Of Ijebuland: The Olufadi Royal Family Lay Claim to the Awujale Stool
The selection process of the Awujale of Ijebuland has been set in motion after the passing of Awujale Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July 2025.Following the remarkable 65 year reign, the responsibility of selecting the next Awujale rests with the Fusengbuwa ruling house, one of four ruling houses (i.e Gbelegbuwa, Anikilaya, Fusengbuwa and Fidipote that have historically rotated the responsibility of appointing the paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The selection of the Awujale has consistently adhered to established traditions, historical precedents and equitable practices among these four ruling houses.Accordingly,the offspring of Oluwafadekemi aka Olufadi,who represent the eldest male Adidagba(signifying a child born to a reigning monarch) lineage of Awujale Fusengbuwa l(the 41th Awujale reigning from 1790-1820) have advanced a compelling historical and moral case to assume the role of the next Awujale of ijebuland.The heritage of the Olufadi Royal family, tracing back to Olufadi is demonstrably transparent and morally unimpeachable.
𝘼 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙡𝙪𝙛𝙖𝙙𝙞 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙚
The Olufadi Royal family's ancestry originates from Awujale Awa Otutubiosun (the 13th Awujale, reigning from 1537 to 1540), whose lineage whose lineage connect to Awujale Munigbuwa (the third Awujale reigning from 1455 to 1460) recognized as the inaugural Awujale from the ileria compound Agushebi Ijebu ode,presently designated as the Fusengbuwa Ruling house Ilenla compound .According to historical accounts passed down orally,Awujale Awa Otutubiosun experienced health challenges during his tenure as Awujale prompting him to temporarily relinquish his royal duties and travel from ijebu ode to a settlement near Owa village in ijebu(present day idowa) in pursuit of sanctuary and recovery.During this period, he delegated his administrative responsibilities of the Awujale to his younger sibling, Ajuwakele who served as rugent. Following his recuperation, Awujale Awa Otutubiosun went back to ijebu ode, only to discover upon his arrival, Awujakele, his younger brother as been formally installed as Awujale.
In a gesture of reconcilation, Awujale Awa Otutobiosin requested and was granted by Awujale Ajuwakele the right to retain certain crowns dear to him.He then returned and settled to his hamlet near owa village earning him the title "Oba to le gba ire oko Dagburewe" and on acceptance by the small population of about 5000 inhabitants in the present day idowa became the Dagburewe of idowa (the 1st Dagburewe in 1540) Although Oba Dagburewe Otutubiosun was the ancestor of a considerate number offspring l, it was his grandson, jadiara who truly stood out,exhibiting a strong connection to his venerable ancestor. Jadiara emerged as the 9th Dagburewe of idowa and exercised his authority from 1630 to 1660 . During the extensive period when he held the office of Dagburewe of idowa.Oba Dagburewe Jadara fathered numerous offsprings and it is precisely these very offspring who currently form the pool of prospective candidates from whom the future Dagburewe of idowa can be selected and appointed.
About 1660 abd coinciding with Oba Dagburewe Jadiara's reign as Dagburewe of idowa, it was the turn of the Awujale Awa Otutubiosun lineage to provide a candidate for the Awujale stool,Oba Dagburewe jadiara has been the only available and qualified candidate to fill the position and was appointed as Awujale(the 25th reigning from 1660 to 1675) jadiara's reign over two royal stools earned him his praise name: "Omo Olowo joye meji po, Ojo Dagburewe Ni idowa... Opa Da Wa Je Awujale ni ijebu ode ....Alaye daaji - A child of wealth who held two great titles.
As awujale jadiara fathered two children, a son Adeyale Fusengbuwa and a daughter Adeberu.Both were Abidagba - firstborn heirs to the Awujale stool.The children that oba Dagburewa jadiara had during his reign as Dagburewe of idowa before he became Awujale were not considered Abidagba of the Awujale, a precedent that was firmly established :𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 candidates 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗯𝘂𝘄𝗮 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗢𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗱𝗶
Awujale Awujale Fusengbuwa the (41st Awujale reigning from 1790 to 1820 ) the offspring of Adeyale Fusengbuwa the Abidagba of jadiara l,became one of the most significant monarchs in ijebu history.A proficient hunter and herbalist ,Adeyale was married to eight women l. Their offsprings became the eight units of the present Fusengbuwa Ruling House.He was the Awujale who dispatched the ijebu army to participate in the owu wars of the 19th century, a conflict that arose from the disintegration of the former oyo Empire during the Fulani campaigns in the northern part of yorubaland .Historical records confirm that circa 1806,even as the war continued,Toyeje,then the Baale of ogbomoso and Adegun,the onikoyi of ikoyi, encouraged Amororo, the olowu of owu to conduct an assault on ile ife, driven by disagreements with Gbanlare, the them oni of ife about the slave trade operating in Apomu (an historical town in osun state ).This offensive led to the destruction of multiple settlements in the area of ile ife, This was between 1806-1810.
As the kingdom of ife prepared to exact its revenge on owu orile, its formidable army forged a strategic alliance with the ijebu army,which was commanded by the distinguished Awujale Fusengbuwa.This combined force was further reinforced by refugees who had fled from oyo, nd together l, they proceeded to lay a protracted siege upon owu orile, an engagement that spanned from 1814 to 1819 l.After enduring a grueling five year conflict ,owu ultimately surrendered.Awujale Fusengbuwa's involvement in the owu wars demonstrated both military prowess and diplomatic sophistication,as he forged alliances with ile ife that ultimately reshaped regional politics for generations.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙪𝙛𝙖𝙙𝙞 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜- 𝘼 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
The first Abidagba Awujale Fusengbuwa wife,Olori ibiroku of Ago-Iwoye.Olufadi, being the initial male Adidagba ,occupied a paramount status within the Fusengbuwa Ruling house like his father,olufadi was also a hunter and herbalist .He had three wives and his notable children were Oduwole Obanlefa,Adeleye and Adenubi.Around 1886,when it was the turn of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to present candidates for the Awujale Awujale stool,a second male Adidagba ,Ali Adesimbo Aboki, known as Tunwase born to Awujale Fusegbuwa wife, Olori shiwafu of igbeba was the only available qualified candidate and was appointed Awujale of ijebuland (the 45th Awujale, reigning from 1886-1895).Awujale Tunwase's appointment was possible because his older brother.Olufaduli had passed away prior to his opportunity to ascend the Awujale stool.Similarly in the 20th century the Tunwase Royal Family produced Awujale Adenuga Folagbade(the 50th Awujale, reigning from 1925-1929).His reign,however was married by corruption allegtions that led to his deposition and exile to ilorin in 1929 by the colonial authorities.
The vacany created by the deposition of Awujale Adenuga Folagbade led to the selection of Oduwole Obanleta olufadi by the Fusengbuwa ruling house lineage compund as the appropriate successor.Oduwole obanleta olufadi wrote a formal appeal dated february 15, 1925 to resident P.A. Talblot of the ijebu province under colonial administration Asserting Olufadi's Royal family claim to the Awujale stool. This significant document articulately set forth the Olufadi ancestral connection as the unadulterated descendant of the Olufadi's, who had originally served as oba fesungbewa in augural male Adidagba . Despite the fact that the underlying basis of the possess undeniable legitimacy and strong merit, the colonial administrative officials were ultimately convinced by the counter argument advanced by the representatives of the next ruling house. This argument persuasively asserted that the Fasungbewa ruling house as already had its designated turn in the line of succession, a stance which consequentially resulted in the outright rejection of Oduwole Obanlefa Olufadi's legitimate claim and by extension and once again deprived the Olufadi's Royal Family of its proper and deserved hereditary status.
Despite being deprived of its proper and deserved of its proper and deserved hereditary status, being the direct descendants of Oba Fusengbuwa's first Abidagba and successor ,the Olufadi's Royal Family did not retreat from public service and deepened their commitment to ijebu institutions.The esteemed prince Fasasi Adebisi Obanlefa Adeyemi,who is the direct grandson of Oduwole Obanleta Olufadi, was elevated to the significant leadership position of Olori-Ebi for the distinguised Fusengbuwa Ruling House. This crucial role was diligently maintained by him for an impressive duration of twenty five (25) consecutive years, specifically spanning the period from 1988 to 2013. Presently prince Adeleke Obanlefa Adeyemi, the eldest some of prince Fasisi performs the responsibilities of the general secretary for the Fusengbuwa Ruling House,a tenure that officially commenced in 2007.
The Olufadi Royal Family takes immense pride in a multitude of highly successful and morally upright princes and princess, all of whom are direct lineal descendants of olufadi. The comprehensive historical narrative of the Narrative of the Olufadi Royal Family unequivocally demonstrates a clear and unbroken lineage of both inherent legitimacy and standing within the governance structure of the Fusengbuwa ruling house and to the Awujale stool.The olufadi royal family's patient approach to their successor's claim reflects a dip understanding that true leadership emerges not from the pursuit from power, but from demonstrated worthiness over generations.
Rather than aggressively pressing historical arguments, they have consistently demonstrated their adherence to established processes. Their direct royal lineage is unquestionable and they have shown their capacity for the complex responsibilities that Awujale responsibility requires.The selection of Olufadi prince would not only honour historical precedent but will also demonstrate that truth and tradition ultimately prevail over expediency in choosing the Olufadi Royal Family,The Fusengbuwa Ruling House would send a powerful message that ijebu traditions are unbroken and that a legitimate claim will eventually receive its due recognition
