The Afobaje Council of Ijebuland has reaffirmed that the selection process for a new Awujale remains suspended, stressing that no step has been taken since the Ogun State Government halted the exercise earlier in the year.
The council also dismissed a letter allegedly linked to the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, describing it as unauthorised and inconsistent with the established traditional structure guiding the succession process.
The clarification was made on Friday during a programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, where the Secretary of the Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, spoke on the rising controversy surrounding the stool.
According to him, the council has remained inactive since a directive said to have been issued on 20 January 2026 by the local government authorities, which suspended the selection process over procedural concerns.
He said no meeting of the kingmakers had been held since the suspension took effect.
“As far as we are concerned, the suspension has not been lifted. We have not met since 20 January 2026. We have not taken any decision on the Awujale succession process,” Odulaja said.
He added that any document circulating in the public space suggesting that the council had reconvened or forwarded candidates was not authorised by the body.
The secretary also rejected claims that the Olisa acted as head of the kingmakers, insisting that the position belongs to the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Ode, Chief Sonny Kuku.
He explained that the Afobaje Council is made up of nine members, with the Olisa being only one of them and not occupying any leadership role over the kingmakers’ structure.
“The Olisa is not the chairman of the Afobaje Council. He is one of the members. The chairman is the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Ode. That structure has not changed,” he said.
Odulaja further stated that the Ilamuren council, which the Olisa chairs, is distinct from the Afobaje kingmakers responsible for selecting the Awujale.
He noted that the confusion in public space stems from a misunderstanding of the traditional hierarchy in Ijebuland.
“People need to understand that there is a clear structure. The Ilamuren is different from the Afobaje Council. The responsibilities are not the same,” he added.
The secretary also insisted that the council has not had any engagement with the Olisa since the suspension order was issued.
He maintained that the Afobaje Council remains committed to obeying government directive and will not reconvene until officially instructed to do so.
“The council has remained law-abiding. We are waiting for the government to lift the suspension before any further step can be taken,” he said.
Odulaja also dismissed claims that the Olisa referred to himself as “Alaiyeluwa,” stressing that there is only one recognised traditional ruler in Ijebuland.
“The Awujale remains the paramount ruler of Ijebuland. There cannot be two Obas in the same domain,” he said.
He added that the current tension may be linked to long-standing disagreements within the traditional structure, but insisted that the council will not be drawn into any controversy.
