Awujale Throne not for distant relatives, impostors – Fusengbuwa Ruling House

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House-direct descendants of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Theophilus Adenuga Tunwase (fondly called Folagbade), has set the record straight on who is truly eligible to contest for the vacant Awujale stool.

According to the family, only the immediate children and descendants of Oba Folagbade can present candidates, not distant relatives now laying claim to the throne.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Prince Bamidele Adenuga, head of the Fusengbuwa lineage and son of Oba Folagbade, dismissed such claims as misleading.

“In Ijebu tradition, succession rights are clear: the ruling house entitled to present candidates always means the direct family of the last king from that lineage. For us, that duty lies with Oba Folagbade’s children and descendants. That is how it has always been, and it is firmly backed by the Chiefs Law of 1959,” Adenuga explained.

Echoing this, Prince Adekunle Adenuga, Secretary of the Ruling House, emphasized that kingship in Ijebuland is rooted in primogeniture.

“The throne is reserved for the male progeny of the last monarch – sons and grandsons. In special cases, male grandchildren through daughters may also qualify. What it is not, is a free-for-all. Distant relatives have never been considered, and any attempt to change that is simply rewriting history,” he said.

Princess Mosunmola Odukomaiya, the eldest child of Oba Folagbade, added her voice, calling for unity among Ijebu people.

“Let’s not be distracted by misinformation. Having the same oriki does not make one eligible for the Awujale stool. This throne is sacred, it represents the pride and identity of Ijebuland. We must not allow impostors to desecrate it,” she said.

The family expressed appreciation to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his commitment to a transparent process, and to the Awujale Chiefs-in-Council and Kingmakers for safeguarding Ijebu tradition.

They confirmed that a list of eligible princes has already been drawn up and will be forwarded to the Odis once the selection process formally begins.

Reaffirming their stance, Prince Bamidele concluded: “The Awujale throne is bigger than an individual, it is the heartbeat of Ijebu identity. We owe it to our people and to history to defend its sanctity and resist all attempts to distort our heritage.”