Customary Law, Not Cash or Class, Should Decide Next Awujale — Prince Olawunmi Declares

Customary Law, Not Cash or Class, Should Decide Next Awujale — Prince Olawunmi Declares.

By Our Reporter

Ijebu-Ode, the historical headquarters of Ijebuland, is once again at a decisive moment in the process of choosing the next Awujale, the revered monarch of the Ijebu people.

As the drums of tradition begin to roll, one voice has risen above the din of political whisperings and quiet royal lobbying: Prince Samuel Olawunmi, Assistant Secretary of the Idile Oba Merin Awujale — the four Ruling Houses of Ijebuland.

In a passionate appeal grounded in law, history, and culture, the Ijebu prince, fondly called Anikinaiya, has called on the Ijebu kingmakers and ruling families to resist the temptation of wealth, influence, and modern politics in the selection of the next Awujale.

“Wealth or social connections should not determine who becomes the next Awujale,” he warned, “because the late Oba S.K. Adetona himself cautioned against such tendencies.”

Wealth or social connections should not determine who becomes the next Awujale, because the late Oba S.K. Adetona himself cautioned against such tendencies,” he warned

A Call to Return to Tradition

Prince Olawunmi spoke with the calm authority of a man deeply steeped in heritage. To him, the throne of the Awujale, the apex of Ijebu identity , must remain sacred, unsullied by materialism or manipulation.

He reminded the people that Ijebu tradition does not favour candidates chosen based on influence or affluence, noting that history proves this beyond dispute.

In his words: “Former Awujales were ordinary Ijebu citizens with regular professions like hunters, herbalists, native doctors, barbers, and even students.”

He cited the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, one of Africa’s longest-reigning monarchs, who ascended the throne as an undergraduate, as a living testimony that the crown seeks virtue, not vanity.

   “That example shows that the Awujale stool has always been occupied by men of humility, integrity, and ancestral legitimacy, not those driven by ambition or wealth.” Olawunmi emphasized.

That example shows that the Awujale stool has always been occupied by men of humility, integrity, and ancestral legitimacy, not those driven by ambition or wealth,

Guardians of a Royal Legacy

Prince Olawunmi’s voice carried not just passion, but also responsibility. As a senior member of the Anikinaiya Ruling House, one of the four royal families collectively known as Idile Oba Merin Awujale, he bears the duty of ensuring that tradition remains the guiding compass in royal affairs.

He warned against any attempt to exclude other ruling houses from the process.

“The Awujale stool belongs to the four ruling houses of Ijebu-Ode, not just the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. While it may be Fusengbuwa’s turn to present candidates, that right does not override the customs and traditions that bind all Ijebus together.” He made it clear.

In his words, the unity of the four ruling houses — Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, Gbelegbuwa, and Moyegeso — is the cornerstone of Ijebu continuity.

He spoke glowingly of the late Prince Adebisi Fasasi Adeyemi (Obanlefa), the longest-serving head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, describing him as “a symbol of unity and discipline whose legacy kept the royal families united for decades.”

“The era of Baba Obanlefa,” Olawunmi said, “cemented the cooperation between the four ruling houses. Today, leaders like Alhaji Toheeb Alaga, who also doubles as the Head of Anikinaiya Ruling House, continue to promote that unity and peace.”

When the Law Meets Tradition

Beyond emotion, Prince Olawunmi anchored his argument on law — the firm foundation upon which traditional institutions rest. Citing the 1957 Chiefs Law, he explained that the Awujale stool is legally governed by the customary declaration made under Section 4(2) of that law.

The law, he noted, clearly stipulates the lineage order:

First, male descendants of Abidagba Okunrin,

Followed by male descendants of Abidagba Obirin,

And lastly, male descendants of Abidoye.

This, he said, ensures that fairness and ancestry — not favoritism or fortune — decide who sits on the sacred stool.

Prince Olawunmi added that the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State reaffirms this structure, mandating kingmakers and ruling houses alike to abide strictly by these established laws in choosing the next monarch.

“This is not just about tradition, it’s about law, history, and justice. Any attempt to bypass the 1957 Chiefs Law will do irreversible harm to our heritage,” He stated firmly.

A Plea for Integrity and Unity

As the royal transition process continues in Ijebuland, tension and speculation naturally abound. Yet Prince Olawunmi remains calm, offering wisdom instead of confrontation. His message is clear: the process must be guided by truth, fairness, and ancestral legitimacy.

He urged the Fusengbuwa Ruling House — currently responsible for nominating candidates — to remember their duty to the Ijebu people and to the memory of their forebears.

“Let the Fusengbuwa elders be inspired by the example of late Baba Obanlefa. Let them resist divisive influences and uphold the dignity of the royal institution. The Awujale stool is not a prize to be won, it is a trust to be earned,” he said.

Let the Fusengbuwa elders be inspired by the example of late Baba Obanlefa. Let them resist divisive influences and uphold the dignity of the royal institution. The Awujale stool is not a prize to be won, it is a trust to be earned,

The Spirit of Ijebu Endures

To many, Prince Olawunmi’s voice represents more than a personal opinion. It is the echo of an ancient tradition refusing to be silenced by modern ambition. His call resonates deeply in a society where culture and politics often clash.

For the Ijebu people, whose history spans centuries of cultural sophistication, commerce, and kingship, the Awujale remains the soul of their identity. The next occupant of that sacred throne will not only wear a crown but also carry the weight of Ijebu destiny.

As Ijebu elders and kingmakers deliberate, the words of Prince Olawunmi ring loud and clear, a timeless reminder that the true strength of royalty lies not in wealth or status, but in character, heritage, and the unbroken chain of tradition.

“Our fathers built this kingdom with fairness and truth. Let us not betray their legacy. The Awujale stool must remain a symbol of Ijebu unity, guided always by our laws and customs — not by money or modern power,” he concluded.

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