Residents of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday staged a peaceful protest against alleged plans by the state government to impose the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
A video shared online by Goldmyne TV and seen by SaharaReporters showed scores of men and women marching through parts of the ancient town, carrying placards warning against government or individual interference in the traditional process of selecting the monarch.
The protesters cautioned against what they described as undue intervention in the succession process, insisting that the long-established customs of Ijebuland must be respected. Some of the placards read, “No intervention from either government or individual,” and “Let the Kingmakers choose for us.”
Others demanded adherence to traditional spiritual rites, with one placard stating, “Let Ifa determine who becomes the next Awujale.”
The protest remained peaceful, with no reports of violence as of the time of filing this report.
The Awujale of Ijebuland is one of the most revered traditional stools in Yorubaland, and succession to the throne is traditionally guided by established customs involving kingmakers and consultation of Ifa.
The demonstration comes amid reports of alleged interference by powerful interests in the process to select the next Awujale. Recently, Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, petitioned the Ogun State Government over his alleged exclusion from the nomination process.
In a petition dated January 14, 2026, and submitted through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, K1 challenged the conduct of the nomination meeting of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. The petition, written by his legal team led by Wahab Shittu, SAN, alleged that the exercise was riddled with procedural irregularities and conducted in violation of customary and statutory laws.
According to the petition, K1, whose real name is Wasiu Adewale Olasunkanmi Adesanya, is an eligible member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and a legitimate aspirant to the Awujale stool, which became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
