Fusengbuwa Ruling House dismisses KWAM1 Awujale claim as baseless amid the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebu land

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu land on Sunday rejected a protest by popular Fuji musician Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as KWAM1, over his alleged exclusion from the Awujale selection process in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on January 12, 2026.

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The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Professor Fassy Yusuf, described the protest letter written on behalf of KWAM1 to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as misguided and lacking merit.

Professor Yusuf, speaking by telephone, said the KWAM1 Awujale claim had no bearing on the traditional process guiding the selection of a new monarch.

The Fuji musician, through his lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), had alleged that the ruling house introduced directives unknown to the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State.

The letter claimed the directives were designed to disenfranchise KWAM1 from contesting for the vacant stool.

Professor Yusuf dismissed the allegations as illogical, insisting that the ruling house had acted within tradition and law.

He explained that the family has over 20,000 members and must adopt a structured approach to manage participation in the nomination process.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House also fixed Monday for the nomination meeting of aspirants, a process that has reportedly attracted more than 60 contenders.

Interest in the Awujale stool has intensified following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July last year at the age of 91, ending a historic 65-year reign.

Despite openly declaring interest, the ruling house maintained that KWAM1 is not a recognised member of the Fusengbuwa lineage and is therefore unqualified to participate.

KWAM1 had earlier approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode, seeking to halt the process through an interim injunction.

The court declined the request, ruling that the application lacked merit, and the suit was later withdrawn without explanation.

The ruling house had previously suspended and restarted the nomination process after intervention by the state government, a move that drew fresh attention to the sensitive exercise.

In his renewed letter, KWAM1 accused some leaders within the family of attempting to hijack the process through delegate nominations and screening committees.

His lawyer warned that any attempt to exclude his client would trigger resistance and potentially destabilise what should be a seamless transition.

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Efforts to obtain the Ogun State Government’s response were unsuccessful, as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, had not responded as of press time.