The Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, has accused the Ogun State Government of frustrating the process for selecting the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

Owoyemi, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), made the allegation while speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese, Ijebu, where he expressed concern over the prolonged vacancy of the revered traditional stool.

He alleged that the state government was sponsoring some individuals within the ruling house to initiate a parallel process aimed at undermining the recognised leadership structure of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

He also declared as “void” a press conference scheduled for Sunday, September 20, which he said was intended to announce another Olori Ebi and discredit the existing family structure.

According to him, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had already completed its internal selection process within the 14-day period prescribed for it, concluding the exercise in 10 days and submitting the required documents and names of its candidates to the Awujale kingmakers.

Owoyemi said the kingmakers were expected to complete their own stage within seven days and forward a single candidate to the Ogun State Governor for approval and enthronement.

He questioned why the process had been delayed and why the state government was interfering in what he described as an established traditional and legal procedurha

The Olori Ebi further maintained that any meeting, decision or announcement purporting to select another candidate outside the process already completed by the ruling house would be invalid.

The development comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over the selection process.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House had earlier instituted suit No. HCJ/149/2026 at the Ogun State High Court, Ijebu-Ode, seeking orders compelling the governor, kingmakers and other parties to conclude the process.

The matter has been adjourned to September 23, 2026, following its return by a vacation judge to the administrative judge for reassignment.

The leadership of the ruling house also instituted another suit, HCJ/167/2026, on September 16 against members of the family over alleged attempts to parade themselves as leaders or interfere with the ruling house's leadership structure.

The Awujale stool has remained vacant since the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona on July 13, 2025, after 65 years on the throne.