AWUJALE SUCCESSION: FUSENGBUWA CLOSES RANKS, INSISTS ON ITS TURN
Ruling House Leaders say legal action is aimed at completing stalled selection process
By Femi Mebude
F
or Ijebu Today Newspaper, Today Update Magazine, Today RadioTV Online Station and Igboro Lawa Update
Leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode have reaffirmed the unity of the family and its determination to participate fully in the process of selecting the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
The Leaders also cautioned against what they described as attempts to frustrate the Ruling House from exercising its opportunity in the succession process.
The position was made known on Saturday at an enlarged meeting of Princes and Princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House held at Ile Nla (Agunsebi), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The meeting was convened to review developments surrounding the stalled selection process and to brief members on the steps being taken by the ruling house leadership, including its ongoing legal action.
It was co-chaired by Otunba Abdulateef Adebayo Owoyemi, Chairman and Head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House Family; Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, Deputy Chairman; and Professor Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman.
Members from various units of the Ruling House were briefed on developments surrounding the succession process, including the legal action instituted against Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, nine Ijebu-Ode kingmakers and five other defendants.
The legal action, according to the ruling house leadership, seeks to compel the relevant parties to conclude the selection process.
At the end of the meeting, the members endorsed decisions previously taken by the Ruling House leadership and expressed confidence in its handling of the succession matter.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the gathering was primarily to provide members with an update on the situation and explain the steps being taken to safeguard the interests of the ruling house.
He said the attendance, including that of Princes and Princesses who travelled from Lagos and other locations, demonstrated the level of support for the leadership.
“The meeting was called to update and brief members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House about the stalled selection process for the next Awujale and the steps we have taken to address the issue.
“The large attendance is an attestation of unity. The house is united. Princes and princesses came from Lagos and other places. They supported our decision and they have confidence in our leadership and the things we are doing.”
Owoyemi further alleged that certain individuals were attempting to frustrate the ruling house's efforts, arguing that prolonged disruption of the process could eventually create grounds for questioning the house's opportunity to produce the next monarch.
“Our enemies are those who want to spoil things so that they will come back to say our Ruling House cannot produce the next Awujale again,” he said.
The Ruling House leadership maintained that its recourse to the courts was intended to ensure that the established succession procedure was completed and that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was given the opportunity it believes is due to it under the applicable traditional and legal framework.
The Leaders urged members to remain calm and united while the matter proceeds through the appropriate legal channels.
They also reiterated their commitment to pursuing the succession issue through lawful means rather than allowing disagreements surrounding the process to divide the family.
The meeting ended with members reaffirming their support for the ruling house leadership and the decisions taken concerning the ongoing Awujale succession process.
