Awujale Succession: Government Must Do Its Job

The argument about who will take over the respected Awujale throne of Ijebuland has reached a point where we need to clearly see the difference between traditional authority and what the government must do. What should be a straightforward process based on tradition and Ogun State laws is getting messy because of false information, political tricks, and attempts to make government oversight look like meddling.

The key question is this: Should the Ogun State Government ignore its responsibilities just because the succession involves a traditional ruler?

The answer is a clear no.

The Awujale throne is not just any traditional position. It is one of the most respected and historically important thrones in Yorubaland. The integrity and continuity of this throne matter a lot to the public. So, the process of choosing the next person for the throne must be done with high standards of fairness, transparency, and respect for the law.

The Ogun State Government is not the one to choose the king. It cannot impose its favorite candidate on Ijebuland, nor should it try to replace the decisions of the ruling house and kingmakers. But this does not mean the government should just sit back when there are questions about the legality and credibility of the succession process.

The Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, along with the relevant Chieftaincy Declaration, lays down the rules for appointing and recognizing traditional rulers. These rules are not just window dressing. They set the limits for how traditional authority should work and what the government must do to ensure these rules are followed.

It is wrong to say the government has nothing to do with the process once a ruling house starts choosing a new king.

The ruling house has its traditional duties. The kingmakers have their recognized roles. The government has its legal responsibilities, including the power to approve and review the process. These roles are separate but connected. Respecting traditional authority does not mean the government should ignore the law, just as exercising oversight does not give the government the right to pick a king.

This distinction is very important right now. The late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona was on the Awujale throne for an impressive 65 years, turning the throne into a symbol of authority and cultural pride. His reign raised Ijebuland's profile both in Nigeria and abroad. It is vital that choosing his successor honors the dignity of the throne he left behind.

It would be a serious mistake if the process of succession becomes tangled in disputes, competing claims, or political games.

The government has said its actions are based on petitions, concerns about the process, and issues related to peace and security. These are serious matters that a responsible government cannot overlook. When there are real questions about how a chieftaincy process is being conducted, the right response is to look into them according to the law, rather than let disputes affect the legitimacy of the final decision.

Allowing a process with unresolved questions to go on could lead to more complicated problems later. This might make the emergence of the next Awujale subject to long legal battles and unnecessary instability.

There is also the issue of keeping the throne from being turned into a money-making venture. The selection of an Awujale should never become a contest of who has more money, connections, or influence than others.

The throne is about history, heritage, and community identity. It should not be used for personal ambition or financial gain. The right traditional rules and legal provisions must guide the entire process.

Those who disagree with how the government is handling its responsibilities can challenge its actions in court. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House has already started legal action against some of the government's moves. That is their right, and the courts are the proper place to sort out legal disputes.

What we should avoid is the growing trend of using anonymous letters, social media attacks, and unfounded claims instead of following the legal process.

At the same time, the government must remember that how it acts affects the legitimacy of its role. Every action needs to be transparent, fair, well-documented, and based on the law. No candidate should get special treatment, and no ruling house or kingmaker should lose their rights under traditional and legal rules.

The goal should not be to favor any person or group but to ensure a process that earns the trust of Ijebuland and can stand up in court.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has assured the people of Ijebuland that a new Awujale will be in place by 29 May 2027. This promise should be taken seriously. But rushing the process cannot come at the cost of following the right steps. A credible succession matters much more than a quick result that could lead to new problems.

In the end, the Awujale throne belongs to Ijebuland and its people. It is not a personal property of any aspirant, ruling-house official, kingmaker, or political group. Keeping it safe is a shared responsibility that goes beyond personal ambitions and temporary political issues.

The government’s role is not to pick who wears the crown. Its job is to make sure that whoever finally gets the throne does so through a process that follows the law, customs, and the need for peace and stability in Ijebuland.

Those who truly care about keeping the Awujale institution should focus more on making sure the succession process is credible rather than creating controversies about the government's role.

The government should not take over traditional authority. But it should not give up its legal responsibilities just to avoid conflict. Protecting the integrity of the Awujale throne requires respect for tradition and adherence to the law.