No fewer than 35 aspirants have so far been screened by the Ruling House Forum as potential candidates for the throne of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

It was also gathered that more Princes are still jostling for the revered crown.

Fusengbuwa Ruling House is next in line to produce the next Awujale to succeed the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who hailed from the Anikilaiya Ruling House.

The Olori-Ebi of the House, Adedokun Ajidagba, who spoke during a family gathering of more than 200 princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House at Ile Nla Quarters, Agusenbi, Ijebu-Ode, yesterday, declared that the crown of the Awujale stool is not for sale and would only go to a rightful and legitimate candidate from the family.

Ajidagba reaffirmed that the Ijebu-Ode royal family remains strong and united, emphasising that the Awujale stool is a sacred symbol of heritage, and must not be commercialised.

Also speaking with journalists, one of the contestants, Shakiru Bello, said the family remains united, noting that cooperation has strengthened their common cause.

Another aspirant, Senni Ottun, described the gathering as a unifying step forward, saying that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House at Ile-Nla is growing stronger by the day, adding that the massive turnout shows that the family is moving in the right direction toward a promising future. (THE GUARDIAN)