The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu land has dismissed a protest by popular Fuji musician Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM1, over his exclusion from the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebu land.
In a letter dated January 8, 2026, written by his lawyer Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, KWAM1 claimed that directives issued by the ruling house violated the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, effectively disenfranchising him from contesting the throne.
Responding, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, described the letter as “arrant nonsense” with no impact on the selection process. Speaking on Sunday, he said, “It is a misguided letter. Either Wahab Shittu is being misled or Wasiu Ayinde is being misled. The issue being raised about the screening is illogical.”
Yusuf explained that the family had scheduled the nomination meeting for aspirants on Monday, January 12, 2026, and emphasized that KWAM1 is not a member of the ruling house and therefore not qualified to participate.
The selection process for the Awujale stool, which has reportedly attracted over 60 aspirants, has drawn significant public attention, particularly following KWAM1’s open declaration of interest.
KWAM1 had earlier approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode seeking an interim injunction to halt the process, but the court rejected the application, ruling it lacked merit. The lawsuit was later withdrawn without explanation.
In his letter, KWAM1 expressed concern over directives that candidates obtain nomination forms and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga, arguing that these steps contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration and the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law.
His lawyer asserted that all members of the ruling house have the right to participate in the nomination process and accused certain elements of attempting to usurp these rights, potentially undermining the integrity of the selection.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July last year following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at age 91, after a 65-year reign.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Ogun State government were unsuccessful, as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, had not responded to enquiries at the time of publication.
