Members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode on Friday staged a peaceful protest across the town, rejecting what they described as an alleged plan to impose a candidate in the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

Fusengbuwa, one of the four ruling houses eligible to produce the Awujale, is next in line to fill the vacant stool following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July 2025 at the age of 91, after a 65-year reign.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Fusengbuwa says no to imposition,” “Let Ifa oracle determine the next Awujale,” and “Allow the kingmakers to do their job,” the protesters marched from Odo Egbo Roundabout through Awujale Palace/Itale Road to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat, Itooro, where they were received by Chairman Dare Alebiosu.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs Adejugba Obileye said the demonstration was to resist imposition and demand the reopening of the Awujale Palace. “The stool is sacred and must not be sacrificed on the altar of politics or pecuniary interests,” she said, stressing that the Ifa oracle and kingmakers must be allowed to perform their roles.

Another member, Mr Olubunmi Adesanya, appealed to government authorities not to interfere. High Chief Adekunle Talabi, Obajelu of Imoko and priest of the Agemo masquerade, also warned against imposition, urging the state government to respect tradition.

Responding, Alebiosu dismissed claims of government-backed imposition, assuring that the palace had already been reopened and that the kingmakers would handle the process without interference.

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It will be recalled that the Ogun State Government suspended the Awujale selection process on Wednesday, citing petitions from security agencies and stakeholders. The move sparked tension, with allegations that the suspension was to pave the way for imposition.

However, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr Kayode Akinmade, described the claims as baseless, insisting the governor remains committed to due process and respect for traditional institutions.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, Dr Sonny Kuku, assured that the kingmakers would not tolerate imposition. He revealed that they are scrutinising over 1,200 documents submitted by 95 aspirants to ensure the best candidate emerges.

“There is no cause for alarm. The kingmakers understand the weight of their responsibility and will not betray the confidence reposed in them,” Kuku said.