The Ogun State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the ongoing selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland, citing rising tensions, petitions, and security concerns surrounding the exercise. The directive was issued in a letter dated January 20, 2026, by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, and addressed to the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area. The Awujale stool, one of the most revered traditional institutions in Yoruba land, gained heightened prominence under the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.
In the letter, Hamzat noted that the current selection process had come under intense public scrutiny, with the state government receiving multiple petitions and reports from security agencies and stakeholders. He stated that halting the exercise was necessary to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and preserve the veneration of the throne. The decision was made in accordance with the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which grants the government authority to intervene in chieftaincy matters when required.