A prince identified by the Oracle (Ifa) as the most suitable successor to the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has emerged among the 95 nominees screened on Monday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, disclosed the development shortly after the conclusion of the nomination exercise at the Bisirodipe Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode.
He expressed confidence that the kingmakers and the Ogun State government would select a candidate who aligns with the aspirations of the ruling house, the ancestors, and the divine guidance revealed through Ifa.
Among the 95 nominees are Princess Oluwakemi Adetokunboh; Prince Adebisi Kadiri, a retired Lagos State Permanent Secretary; Prince Abdul-Fatai Arowolo of Aeron Construction; Prince Olumuyiwa Adeyemi; Prince Okeowo Obafemi; and Prince Adegbenga Bakare.
Owoyemi, who also serves as Otunba Jadiara of Ijebuland and is a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the royal family conducted extensive traditional consultations before resolving to back one of the nominees. He declined to reveal the chosen name.
The list of all 95 nominees was jointly endorsed by Otunba Owoyemi; his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba; Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf; and Secretary of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Pastor Bolarinde Salami. Representatives of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, led by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Adebanjo Oke, witnessed the process.
Describing the nomination exercise as peaceful and transparent, Owoyemi said it was a collective victory for the entire ruling house. He added that a new Awujale is expected to emerge within a month, noting that all contenders have signed undertakings not to challenge the selection outcome in court.
Owoyemi said, “We have successfully, peacefully, and harmoniously nominated 95 candidates today. Now it’s in the hands of the kingmakers to do their work and select one of them for us. We in the Fusengbuwa ruling house have done a lot of traditional research through the oracles to guide us on what’s going to happen. And the one spoken by the Oracle is among the nominees.
“And we have no doubt at all that the king makers are going to select the person that the Almighty God himself has appointed, the one that our ancestors have also blessed.
“It’s a win-win for everybody because even those who may not be appointed the king will serve in the palace by the grace of God. Everyone who applied has a document guaranteeing that no matter what, there will be no litigation. So, we can be so rest assured that by the grace of Almighty God, we are going to be very, very happy.
“We know the government is going to do the right thing and support what the family supports… And God will guide them right… So that they pick for us the Awujale that, I’m told, will make Ijebu the biggest, greatest city in the whole of Africa. I’m not going to talk about the person the family supports now because you saw us nominating 95 of them… We support one of them.
“So, we are hopeful that the Kingmakers and the government select the best person for us. And we know they will not make any mistakes.”
