The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has written to Governor Dapo Abiodun over the activities of a “breakaway unit” capable of undermining the unity of the ruling house and disrupting the process of producing its candidate for the vacant Awujale stool.

The family, in a petition signed by the Chairman, Otunba Abdul Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba; Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf; and General Secretary, Pastor Prince J. Bola Salami, called on the Governor not to recognise or engage with what it described as an “illegal and lawless group.”

The leaders of the Ruling House recalled that the three recognised units of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had, following the intervention and encouragement of the state government, worked together towards achieving a peaceful and lawful nomination process for the vacant stool of the Awujale.

The family explained that the three units successfully conducted the nomination exercise on January 16, 2026, and forwarded the names of their nominees through the appropriate traditional process.

However, they alleged that the breakaway unit, led by Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, one of the contestants to the throne, and his associates had subsequently embarked on activities aimed at challenging the authority of the recognised leadership of the ruling house and frustrating the conclusion of the process.

Adeyemi, in the letter, was alleged to have convened meetings purportedly in the name of the Olori Ebi of the Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba Unit, despite lacking the authority to do so.

The petitioners further alleged that Adeyemi, in collaboration with one Ridwan Oduneye, constituted a purported “Fact Finding Committee” which, according to them, was aimed at damaging the reputation of the recognised leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

They appealed to Governor Abiodun to resist any attempt by individuals or groups to divide the ruling house, insisting that the recognised leadership enjoyed the support of the majority of members and people of Ijebu-Ode.

“We are reliably informed that the Adeleke Adeyemi’s illegal and unlawful breakaway unit has commenced entering into correspondence with Your Excellency and government for the purpose of seeking recognition, legitimizing their obnoxious activities and overturning all the successful attainments we have so far achieved in completing the candidates’ nomination and forwarding same to the Afobaje as acclaimed by all stakeholders.

“The aim of these renegades is to precipitate crises and deny our Ruling House from producing the next Awujale & Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, which God and our ancestors would not allow. We are convinced beyond every iota of doubt that they are being used.

“We are, therefore, earnestly urging Your Excellency not to accommodate nor have anything whatsoever to do with this illegal and lawless group and other rebellious groups that may raise their ugly heads under one guise or the others now or in the near future.

“We do not doubt that Your Excellency would have seen that the genuine Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the large majority of the people of Ijebu Ode are firmly in our support as the lawful leaders of Fusengbuwa Ruling House and have largely expressed their expectation that Your Excellency will not collaborate nor accommodate or tolerate any dissident or rebellious group to divide, damage and or destroy our Ruling House.

“We passionately urge Your Excellency to discountenance these distracting and destructive elements and direct the Afobajes to return to and complete their assigned role In this historic process. We earnestly pray that you remain on the side of history as we remain your loyal, law-abiding and respectful citizens,” the petitioner added. (Nigerian Tribune)

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