Otunba Wasiu Ayinde Adesanya, popularly known as KWAM 1, has declared the nomination exercise conducted by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House last Monday in Ijebu-Ode as an exercise in futility.

The Fuji legend, in a letter dated January 14, 2026, written on his behalf by his counsel, Wahab Shittu, SAN, and addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alleged that he and other eligible candidates of the ruling house were denied participation in the process.

He consequently declared the exercise null, void and of no effect, citing alleged fundamental breaches of statutory provisions, constitutional rights and principles of natural justice.

Ayinde, who is the Olori Omooba of Akile Ijebu, called for a fresh, transparent, inclusive and fair nomination exercise for the stool.

He said the new process must ensure the participation of all eligible candidates of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, including himself.

In the petition, Wasiu Ayinde recalled that an earlier petition had been written on December 23, 2025, followed by another letter raising concerns over alleged illegal activities within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

He maintained that he is a recognised and eligible member of the ruling house and an aspirant to the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

He said: “This petition addresses the grave procedural irregularities and the unlawful exclusion of our client and other legitimate members from the nomination meeting of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House held on January 12, 2026, which fundamentally undermined the integrity of the selection process for the revered Awujale stool.

“That the actions of the leadership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, in collaboration with some security forces, constitute a clear contravention of established legal principles and statutory provisions governing chieftaincy affairs in Ogun State, as well as fundamental human rights.”

The music maestro further argued in the petition that the nomination process breached the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.

“There is an approved method for the selection, appointment and recognition of Obas and Chiefs. Section 16(1)(f) of the law explicitly requires the ruling house to submit the names of candidates ‘nominated at a meeting of the ruling house’ to the kingmakers.

“The unilateral exclusion of eligible members and the imposition of a ‘delegate system’ without due process directly contravene the spirit and letter of this law, which emphasises transparency and a proper administrative framework to curb chieftaincy disputes.

“The purported nomination based on such an exclusionary process is fundamentally flawed and legally unsustainable.” (TRIBUNE)