The Department of State Services (DSS), formerly known as the State Security Service (SSS), has intervened in the succession process for the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool by summoning key nominees from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and abruptly cancelling a scheduled meet-and-greet event at the Awujale's palace.
The development occurred on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, shortly after the ruling house submitted names of qualified candidates to the kingmakers. In a formal invitation letter dated the same day, the DSS directed the nominees to report immediately to its office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road in Ijebu-Ode. The letter explicitly stated that the meet-and-greet, originally planned for that morning at the Aafin Awujale, had been unilaterally cancelled.
The correspondence was addressed to the heads of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House: Lateef Owoyemi (Olori-Ebi), Dokun Ajidagba (Deputy Olori-Ebi), and Fassy Yusuf (Vice Chairman). It read in part: “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled. Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at State Security Service (SSS) Along NTA Road, Beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, Off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode.”
This action follows the Fusengbuwa Ruling House's recent submission of candidates to the kingmakers on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Awujale's palace. The names were presented through Chief Folorunso Sunny Kuku (Ilamuren and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland), who heads the interim administrative body established by the Ogun State Government following the passing of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in 2025.
The ruling house had earlier held a nomination meeting where no fewer than 90 princes and one princess obtained forms and emerged as contestants. Tradition requires the kingmakers to review the submissions, select a preferred candidate, and forward the name to the government via Ijebu-Ode Local Government and the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for approval and further processes.
The succession to the revered Awujale stool has been marked by contention since Oba Adetona's demise, including disputes over eligibility, procedural compliance, and external influences. Recent controversies involved aspirants like Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), who petitioned the state government alleging unlawful exclusion from the nomination exercise.
The DSS intervention has paused momentum in the process, raising questions about the reasons behind the summons and cancellation. No official explanation from the security agency has been publicly detailed beyond the directive in the letter. The ruling house, kingmakers, and other stakeholders have not yet issued formal responses to the latest development.
As the situation unfolds in Ijebu-Ode, the focus remains on ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and tradition-respecting selection for one of Yorubaland's most prominent royal stools amid heightened security scrutiny.
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