The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebuland has dismissed a protest letter by popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM1, regarding the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland, describing his claims as “arrant nonsense” with no basis in the chieftaincy process.
The letter, addressed to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, alleged attempts to exclude him from the ongoing nomination exercise. The ruling house’s rebuttal comes as interest in the prestigious traditional stool continues to attract widespread attention and more than 60 aspirants.
The stool of the Awujale became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is constitutionally next in line to provide a candidate for the revered position under Ogun State’s Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law.
Amid this backdrop, KWAM1 — also an Olori Omooba of Ijebu land — publicly declared his interest in the throne and claimed exclusion from the nomination process.
In his protest letter dated January 8, 2026 and drafted by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), KWAM1 argued that directives issued by the ruling house contradicted the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law, alleging these measures were intended to disenfranchise him and other members interested in vying for the stool.
He claimed recent instructions on screening and delegate nomination were irregular and not supported by relevant legal frameworks.
However, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Professor Fassy Yusuf, criticised the letter, saying it was “misguided” and “illogical.”
Yusuf said the protest had “no bearing on the selection process” and questioned KWAM1’s understanding of the structure, noting the ruling house comprises more than 20,000 members, making management of the process complex. He confirmed the nomination meeting for aspirants was scheduled to proceed on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The ruling house also asserted that KWAM1 is not recognised as a bona fide member of the family and therefore is ineligible to participate in the selection process, maintaining that statutory procedures are being followed.
The clash highlights tensions between cultural norms, legal frameworks, and high-profile aspirations within traditional institutions in Ogun State.
For urban followers of the controversy and residents of Ijebu land, the dispute underscores questions about eligibility, adherence to customary laws, and transparency in chieftaincy matters.
The public exchange between a celebrity figure and custodians of tradition also reflects the evolving interface between popular culture and longstanding governance structures in Nigeria’s urban and rural communities alike.
The ruling house’s firm response emphasises the importance of lineage and legal eligibility in traditional succession, potentially discouraging similar public interventions that are perceived to contravene established protocols.
Meanwhile, continued public interest may prompt more extensive scrutiny of chieftaincy nomination practices and clearer communication from both traditional and government authorities about procedural requirements.
As the selection process for the next Awujale progresses, the dispute between KWAM1 and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House illustrates the complex interplay between tradition, law, and celebrity influence in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
With the nomination meeting scheduled to proceed and legal challenges already tested in court, the episode underscores the need for adherence to statutory frameworks while balancing fairness and inclusivity in selecting custodians of heritage. The outcome will be closely watched by residents and stakeholders in Ijebu land and beyond.
