Photo File: Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The Ogun State Government has assured the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode that it will protect the integrity of the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebuland, vowing not to allow intruders or interference from other ruling houses.

Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving elders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, led by three monarchs—the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba (Barr.) Sikiru Okuribido; the Saderiren of Isonyin-Ijebu, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Salami; and the Onirete of Irete, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Awokoya Yusuf.

Alebiosu, responding to concerns raised by the Fusengbuwa Olori-Ebi, Otunba Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi, said the government will ensure fairness and transparency in the succession process.

“This is not a banana republic. We won’t allow any interloper. Each ruling house has its turn, and this is Fusengbuwa’s turn. The family has capable princes, and we will make sure the right thing is done. I will study your documents and report back to the Governor,” Alebiosu said.

Owoyemi, a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), had earlier commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for setting up an administrative board of eminent Ijebu high chiefs to oversee palace affairs pending the appointment of the 59th Awujale.

He, however, appealed to the government to caution other ruling houses — Fidipote, Gbelegbuwa, and Anikilaya — against meddling in Fusengbuwa’s affairs.

“Fusengbuwa has never interfered in the matters of the three other Awujale ruling houses. In the name of God and our noble ancestors, they should stop meddling in ours. Such interference is dangerous and could set a bad precedent for the future,” he said.

The Ogun State Government has pledged to escalate the matter to Governor Abiodun to ensure a peaceful and transparent selection process.