Dare Babalola
The Ogun State Government has ordered an immediate halt to the process of selecting a new Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, pending further notice.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Ganiyu Hamzat, stated in a January 20 letter to the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman that the selection process halt was due to petitions and security reports.
Ganiyu said it had become imperative to address the issues in order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool.
The letter reads, “I write in respect of the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of ljebuland.
“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is a foremost stool in Yoruba land generally and in Ogun State particularly, where it is one of the paramount stools. Further, the stature of the immediate past Awujale, Oba SikiruAdetona -who reigned for sixty-five (65) years-significantly enhanced the modern esteem and prestige of the stool. These realities place a lot of focus, attention and scrutiny on the next Awujale and the process by which he emerges.
“In this regard, the State Government has received several petitions, reports from security agencies and other key stakeholders in relation to the ongoing selection process. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process, and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time.
“In taking this decision, government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021 which empower it to “set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so.” Thus, given the reports at its disposal, Government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety.
“Therefore, the State Government hereby directs that you convey this decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the FusengbuwaRuling House immediately. The latter particularly, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process.”
