The ambition of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM1, to join the contest for the Awujale throne has suffered a major setback as the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has declared his submitted lineage form invalid.
In a letter dated December 11 and addressed to him, the ruling house said its findings did not confirm that he belongs to the Jadiara Royal House or the larger Fusengbuwa lineage, which is expected to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
The letter, signed by the chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, faulted the certification of the form. It explained that the form was endorsed by Adetayo Abayomi Oduneye, who the ruling house described as someone not recognised as a member of the Jadiara unit and therefore not authorised to certify any document on its behalf.
The ruling house also questioned the sequence of the certification, stating that the document was endorsed two days before KWAM1 signed it. It described the form as presigned.
According to the ruling house, its investigation did not produce any evidence linking the musician to the Jadiara or Fusengbuwa bloodline. It said this made the form “null, void and of no consequence.”
The development comes at a time of increased interest in the succession process following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July after a reign of 65 years.
Earlier on Thursday, some members of the ruling house publicly distanced themselves from KWAM1, stressing that neither he nor his father is known within their genealogical records.
The musician had submitted his lineage form after being given an extra five days beyond the December 5 deadline. His form claimed descent from the Setejoye unit of the Jadiara Royal House through his father and was countersigned by Oduneye.
Family heads from the Jadiara and Bubiade units have also denied any ancestry ties to him, saying his claim does not align with their lineage records.
Fusengbuwa Ruling House held an emergency meeting on Thursday to review his submission and the concerns raised by family members.
