FUSENGBUWA RULING HOUSE (ORIGINAL) RESURFACES

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House (Original) of Ijebu Ode has formally declared open the release of its membership and expression of interest forms for princes and princesses seeking to contest the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land.

At a press conference held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, inside the Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Hall, Agunsebi, Coordinator of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House (Original), Chief (Prof.) Fassy Yusuf, announced the commencement of the exercise. He noted that the move coincides with preparations to conclude the mandatory 90-day mourning period for the revered monarch, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON, who passed away on July 13, 2025, after a remarkable reign spanning more than six decades.

Prof. Yusuf, who addressed journalists and stakeholders, explained that the membership forms are part of an ongoing registration drive to create a comprehensive database of all bona fide princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. This, he said, is in compliance with the “Declaration made under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law of 1957,” which governs the customary law guiding succession to the Awujale throne.

“The main purpose of inviting you is to inform all our stakeholders that we are nearing the completion of the 90 days mourning period of our amiable Kabiyesi Alaileyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Therefore, Saturday, October 11, 2025 will mark the end of the mourning, albeit, we shall continue to lament his exit considering his unparalleled reign and contributions to the growth and development of Ijebu Ode, Ijebuland and the nation as a whole,” he stated.

“As we do not want to be caught napping, we are taking steps to comply with the contents of the “Declaration made under the Section 4 (2) of Chiefs Law 1957 of the Customary Law Regulating the Selection to the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy.” Please permit me to read out the contents of the Declaration”. He added.

Yusuf emphasised that the exercise was not about money but about preserving the sanctity of the throne. He explained that while the forms were free to all qualified sons and daughters of the family, applicants were required to pay a nominal ₦2,000 submission fee. He described the charge as a mere “commitment token” meant to cover administrative costs.

“We are not putting any price tag on either of the forms. However, the membership form according to the decision we arrived at, will be returned upon the payment of ₦2,000. The registration form will be given out free, but when you’re returning it, you will return it with ₦2,000 for documentation, because we need to pay those people doing the job for us. All we are doing today was carried out by money, and we don’t want to rely on anybody. We want you to be involved, if you’re a prince or a princess,” Yusuf explained.

“On the expression of interest form, it’s going to be given out free. We are not putting any price tag on it because the stool is not for sale but, what we are expecting is that whoever is contesting should be able to support us. So, we expect such applicants to give us whatever support they can afford, but not that we are going to waylay,” he added.

The coordinator further addressed internal cracks within the ruling house, particularly the absence of the officially recognized Olori Ebi, Otunba Adegboyega Owoyemi, from their fold. Recall that Yusuf had earlier acknowledged Owoyemi as Olori Ebi. However, recent developments saw Owoyemi align with other factions, leaving Yusuf to lead the “Original” camp.

Responding to journalists’ questions, Yusuf dismissed suggestions that Owoyemi’s absence could weaken their legitimacy, insisting that the constitution permits more than one Olori Ebi in such circumstances.

“On the issue of Otunba Owoyemi, being the Olori Ebi, yes! He is the Olori Ebi of a group, but we have another group; the one in Dynamic. Change is always imminent. The Dynamics have changed. They will also change tomorrow. For now, this is the situation we have found ourselves,” he said.

He also explained the reason behind their camp’s adoption of the title “Original,” stressing that it was simply a means of distinction and not a derogatory tag against other groups.

“The position of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows for free association. I do not distinguish one from the other. We are one family but different groups. So, to identify our own group, that is why we have ‘Original’ in bracket. So, it does not remove nor add anything to it, lest you’re fishing for other information that you’re not likely to get from us. Again, I’ve not said anybody is fake. I’ve not said other groups are fake. So, please bury that thought. I can never use that language, that any member of Fusengbuwa Ruling House is fake. No. I said we wanted to make ourselves distinct. If I say we are Fusengbuwa Ruling House, and tomorrow or later in the day, another group says Fusengbuwa Ruling House. We are not fighting anybody. We are not quarreling. We are only expressing ourselves.”

On succession disputes, Yusuf refrained from interpreting the declaration beyond reading its contents. Asked specifically about the claims of the Folagbade group, which has also paraded itself as legitimate heirs to the throne, Yusuf declined further comment.

“You’ve said it. You spoke about a group calling itself, ‘FOLAGBADE.’ From my own little knowledge and from my own little education, I cannot see FOLAGBADE here and therefore, I will not go beyond that. I am not to interpret the contents of this declaration but, I read it out. I am not testing it and I would not go further than that.”

This latest move by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House (Original) comes amid a heated succession battle. Only last month, during an appearance on Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese-Ijebu Frontline programme, different factions—including the Adenuga group and the Folagbade camp—equally laid claim to being the rightful lineage to produce the next Awujale. The multiplicity of claims has heightened tension in Ijebuland, with each group parading its chosen leaders and justifications rooted in history and tradition.

On the actual process of selection, Yusuf explained that “there is always a set-up committee to screen anyone coming who’s coming to nominate, or how do you want to do the setting up and pick the candidate for the Awujale?”

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House confirmed that details on submission deadlines would be communicated soon after the mourning period concludes on October 11.

“The forms are available from the Secretary of our Ruling House at email: rulinghousefunsegbuwa@gmail.com and on 08057677215 & 07079834852. The forms are friendly to fill. Applicants would be told the deadline for the return of the completed expression form,” Yusuf said.

With the mourning period for the late monarch drawing to a close, all eyes remain fixed on Ijebuland as the contest for one of Nigeria’s most prestigious traditional thrones gathers pace.