Awujale Succession: Historical Records, Customary Law Point to Bubiade Royal House
By Mebude Obafemi
Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State
As succession considerations to the Awujale stool of Ijebuland intensify, renewed historical and legal scrutiny is drawing attention to the Bubiade section of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House as the next rightful source of the monarch, according to historians, customary law scholars, and Ijebu stakeholders.
The Awujale stool, regarded as one of the most enduring traditional institutions in Yorubaland, is governed by established customs rooted in lineage, seniority, and rotational succession. Central to the current discourse is the unfinished rotation among the descendants of Oba Jadiara, whose dynasty forms the foundation of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Historical accounts place Oba Jadiara’s reign between 1680 and 1695. Records show that the monarch had five children—Bubiade (the firstborn), Adeberu, Adenaiya, Adelubi, and Fusengbuwa (the last born). From these descendants emerged three principal lineages: Bubiade, Tunwase, and Fusengbuwa, each traditionally entitled to produce an Awujale in rotational order.
Although the Fusengbuwa Ruling House received official recognition during colonial administrative reforms between 1957 and 1958, scholars note that it comprises multiple internal sections. Among them, Bubiade is historically recognised as the senior lineage, being the direct first-born line from Oba Jadiara.
Available records indicate that Oba Fusengbuwa, from the last-born line, ascended the throne as the 41st Awujale, ruling between 1790 and 1820, while the Tunwase lineage later produced an Awujale who reigned from 1886 to 1895. Despite its seniority, the Bubiade Royal House has never produced an Awujale.
Further documentation shows that several Awujales emerged from the broader Jadiara/Fusengbuwa dynasty, including Oba Mekun (1712–1722), Oba Oniyewe (1745–1750), and Oba Fesojoye (1765–1769). After 1820, additional rulers from the same dynasty included Oba Tunwase (1886–1895), Oba Adekoya (1916), and Oba Adenuga (1925–1929). All these monarchs originated from two of the three Jadiara sub-lineages, leaving Bubiade as the only branch without representation.
Customary law experts note that under Yoruba tradition, unfulfilled rotational rights do not lapse with time, a principle now being cited in arguments supporting Bubiade’s eligibility.
Legal backing for the discussion is drawn from the Chiefs Law of 1957, particularly Section 4(2), which recognises four ruling houses in Ijebu-Ode—Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote. The declaration was approved on August 25, 1959, and remains legally registered. Scholars such as Badejo Adebonojo (1947) and Tunde Oduwobi (2017) have documented the Awujale succession history and affirmed the legitimacy of the Jadiara lineage, which includes Bubiade.
The issue gained public prominence during the 1983 political crisis involving the attempted deposition of the immediate past Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, by the late Ogun State Governor, Chief Bisi Onabanjo. At the time, Ijebu prince Adeoye Odedina published a warning in the National Concord of June 29, 1983, following an earlier report titled “It’s Not Fusengbuwa’s Turn.” Odedina argued that producing another Awujale from the Fusengbuwa section would be contrary to customary practice and would undermine the rights of other lineages, particularly Bubiade.
Odedina also addressed claims that the Bubiade family lacked male descendants, clarifying that it was Adenaiya, a junior brother to Bubiade, who died without issue. According to historical accounts, this circumstance temporarily allowed Fusengbuwa to ascend the throne with Bubiade’s consent, without extinguishing Bubiade’s hereditary rights.
Genealogical records trace the continuation of the Bubiade lineage through Adefowokan, son of Bubiade, whose descendants include Basorun, Ademosu, Olufeko, Bojela, Paseda, Asafadebo, and Asefilelo, all considered eligible under custom to present a candidate.
As deliberations continue, stakeholders are calling on the Ogun State Government, traditional kingmakers, and Ijebu elders to adhere strictly to historical precedent and customary law. Some analysts caution that bypassing Bubiade’s claim could trigger legal disputes, internal tensions, and reputational concerns for the Awujale institution.
They argue that recognising the Bubiade Royal House would reinforce rotational justice and preserve unity within Ijebuland, while maintaining the integrity of a monarchy long respected for its adherence to tradition.
With succession discussions advancing, observers say the decision facing the custodians of Ijebu tradition will test the balance between historical continuity and contemporary considerations—one that could shape the future of the Awujale stool for generations to come.
