Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode which is next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland in Ogun State, on Sunday, assured that the popular Fuji music icon, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, popularly referred to as ‘KWAM 1’, will definitely get justice in the selection process of who becomes the next Awujale of Ijebu-Ode and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

Owoyemi, who spoke with LEADERSHIP in Ijebu Ode, emphatically declared that once the popular Fuji musician completed the “not so difficult” family’s royal lineage data form, expected to also be counter-signed by the head of the Fusengbuwa family unit where he originated from, establishing him as a legitimate heir to the Awujale stool, the selection committee would not deny him any right due to him during the selection process.

Fielding questions from LEADERSHIP on the controversy surrounding KWAM1’s genealogical eligibility, against the backdrop of the sanctity of the Awujale Stool, Owoyemi, who is a former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), declared; “I am never – ever going to compromise on what I believe is just and right.

“This gentleman (KWAM 1), I met him just once and he told me that Fidipote is a child to Fusengbuwa. I was surprised and I told myself that probably what he said was an opportunity for me to still learn, only to see that a day before the closing of the window period allowed for intending Princes to obtain forms, he sent a letter to me that he also wanted to contest interest in the throne.

“I then realised that since the window period was not closed yet, I thereafter, sent the lineage form to him which he must skilfully sign and the head of his own family unit within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House must also counter-sign to bear witness that the bearer of the form is saying the truth.

“It is after we have gotten that lineage form duly completed that I will call the Council of Elders of the ruling house to look at the claims at the lineage and confirm to me whether or not, he is a legitimate member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. If he is certified as one, then it’s okay, but if he is not, there is nothing anybody can do about it.

“But I can assure you that he will get justice and fairness. I don’t know his father or mother, so I cannot say whether or not he is a member of the ruling house. He has to prove that to us and that is not difficult, but we are still waiting because I have not heard anything from him so far.”

Meanwhile, it was gathered that one of the Princes of the Awujale throne, Om’oba Salami Agoro-Odunsi, had petitioned the Awujale Council of Kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode, querying KWAM1’s genealogical eligibility to the throne.

Agoro-Odunsi copied the head and members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, particularly the Chairman, Otunba Abdul-Lateef Adedayo Owoyemi; Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; Chief Fassy Yusuf; and the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, among others.

In the petition, titled: “Urgent Imperative to Safeguard the Sanctity of the Awujale Stool: A Call To Reject Anomalous Declarations and Uphold Genealogical Integrity in the Nomination Process”, Agoro-Odunsi particularly warned all parties involved in the selection process against what he described as “catastrophic consequences” of allowing someone who has no genealogical linkage with the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to emerge as the next Awujale.

With particular mentioning of KWAM1’s candidacy, the petitioner declared that the popular Fuji icon has “no known family record, oral history, or archival evidence links his paternal line to Ọba Jádíàrà or any branch of the Fùṣẹngbùwà Ruling House” and such, his consideration or eventual emergence could drag the entire Fusengbuwa Ruling House into a protracted litigation.

“I write to you today, as a proud Omooba of the Bubiade Royal House – a venerable branch of the Fùṣẹngbùwà Ruling House, the rightful custodian of the sacred Awùjalẹ̀ stool in this rotational cycle – with a heart heavy yet resolute in defence of our cherished Ijebu traditions.

“The purported declaration of interest by Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Olasunkanmi Omogbolahan Anifowoshe (popularly known as KWAM 1 or King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall), dated December 3, 2025, claiming eligibility through a linkage to the Oba Jadiara family, constitutes a grave affront to the customs that have preserved the dignity of the throne for centuries.

“The selection of the Awùjalẹ̀ is governed by the registered Declaration under the Chiefs Law, which recognises only four Ruling Houses in strict rotation. Only male princes of direct paternal descent from one of its recognised branches may be nominated.

“Maternal royal linkages, however honourable, confer no eligibility unless no qualified paternal-line prince exists – a contingency invoked only in the most extreme circumstances to preserve patrilineal continuity.

“Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde was born on March 3, 1957, in Agarawu, Lagos Island, to Alhaji Ayinde Anifowoshe, a trader from Ijebu-Ode of non-royal parentage, and a mother from Ilupeju-Ekiti in present-day Ondo State.

“No known family record, oral history, or archival evidence links his paternal line to Ọba Jádíàrà or any branch of the Fùṣẹngbùwà Ruling House.

“To entertain a candidature from outside the entitled Ruling House, or from an individual lacking paternal royal descent, would: Violate the registered Declaration and invite protracted litigation; Fracture the rotational principle that has maintained peace among the Ruling Houses since 1959.

“Such would also encourage opportunism and the emergence of “strangers to the throne; Erode public confidence in our traditional institutions; Diminish the moral authority of the next Awùjalẹ̀ before he even ascends the stool.

“I respectfully urge the Fùṣẹngbùwà Ruling House to reject this declaration outright, the Odis to subject every nomination to the strictest genealogical scrutiny, and His Excellency the Governor to ensure that only candidates who fully satisfy the provisions of the registered Declaration are forwarded for consideration.”

But, reacting to the petition, head and Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Owoyemi said he appreciated efforts of the petitioner towards reminding the Council of Awujale Kingmakers of the sacredness of the stool, even notwithstanding that he was yet to obtain a copy of the said petition. (LEADERSHIP)

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