- Awujale Stool Not for Sale, Protesters Tell Ogun Government
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Residents of Ijebu-Ode, under the banner of Ijebu sons and daughters and the Ijebu-Ode Progressive Youths, on Monday staged a peaceful protest across major parts of the town over the suspension of the selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the protesters, who marched through key streets, carried placards with messages such as “Awujale stool is not for sale,” “Governor Abiodun, save Ijebuland from crisis,” “We want the best prince as Awujale,” and “Let there be a free and fair selection process.”
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The procession later converged at the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat, where the council chairman, Hon. Dare Adebiosu, addressed the demonstrators.
Adebiosu assured the protesters that the Ogun State Government had no preferred candidate in the selection process, explaining that the suspension was implemented solely to ensure strict compliance with due process.
“The government is not interested in who eventually emerges as Awujale,” he said. “The decision was taken to ensure fairness, transparency and adherence to laid-down procedures.”
He commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and assured them that the process would resume in due course, leading to the emergence of an Awujale who reflects the collective will of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Alhaji Babatunde Salami said the demonstration was meant to send a strong message to the kingmakers to act responsibly in handling the revered stool.
“The Awujale stool is highly respected in Yorubaland, Nigeria and beyond. This is not a position that should be treated casually. We want the best prince for Ijebuland,” he said.
Another protester, Mr Yusuf Adetilewa, expressed concern over rumours of bribery and undue influence surrounding the selection process, insisting that due process must be followed.
“We do not want moneybags to hijack the process and render it meaningless,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Morolayo Oyesefo called for equal treatment of all contestants, warning that alleged bias or corruption could trigger avoidable litigation.
“If anyone is found guilty of bribery, the government should act decisively. We want a credible process that will not plunge Ijebuland into crisis,” she said.
Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Ijebuland, known as the Alagemos, have thrown their weight behind the Ogun State Government’s decision to suspend the process.
Speaking after a meeting at the palace of the Ija-Oloko of Imosan, the Alapini Awopa General of Ogun State, High Chief Tajudeen Adekunle Muili, expressed confidence in Governor Dapo Abiodun’s handling of the matter.
“The suspension was not done for the governor to impose his will, but to ensure due process,” he said, while urging that the process be concluded expeditiously.
Similarly, the Gbosa and Baale of Imosan, High Chief Wahab Samsideen Adebayo, said the suspension would allow kingmakers to complete the selection transparently.
“The Funsengbuwa Ruling House has submitted its list of candidates. The kingmakers should now sit and conclude the process fairly,” he said, adding that Ijebuland needs an Awujale who will promote peace and development.
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