Veteran Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, has petitioned the Ogun State Executive Council, seeking the nullification of the January 12, 2026, nomination exercise for the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool.
BELLNEWS reports that Ayinde alleged that he and other eligible members of the Fusengbuwa ruling house were unlawfully excluded from participating in the nomination process.
The petition, submitted through his solicitors and supplementing earlier complaints, claimed that the nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, Ijebu-Ode, was marred by procedural irregularities.
According to the petition, heavily armed security operatives, including policemen, restricted entry into the venue to only individuals carrying special “delegate” cards, allegedly issued by a faction of the ruling house.
The petitioners argued that the introduction of a delegate system was unauthorised and contrary to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, particularly Section 16(1)(f), as well as the Awujale chieftaincy declaration, which mandate direct and inclusive participation of all eligible members.
The petition described KWAM 1 as a qualified aspirant to the revered stool.
The petition read, “Our client is an acknowledged and eligible member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and an aspirant to the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebu Land.
“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 actions fundamentally undermine the integrity of the selection process for the revered Awujale stool.”
The controversy followed the July 2025 death of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years. With his passing, the Fusengbuwa ruling house became next in line to present candidates for the throne.
A letter dated January 6, 2026, from the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, reportedly directed that a full statutory meeting of the ruling house be held within 14 days, without any reference to delegates, screening committees, or nomination forms.
The petitioners argued that the nomination process disenfranchised legitimate members of the ruling house and violated their constitutional right to a fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as principles of natural justice and existing Supreme Court decisions on chieftaincy matters.
A list of allegedly excluded members was attached to the petition, including Adetayo Abayomi Oduneye, Adeyemo Ridwan Afolohunso Oduneye, M. O. Alatishe, Adetoun Oduneye, Adebambo Oduneye, Ashiru Saheed Orisanmi, Adesanya Johnson Adekunle, Adesanya Adetayo, Tunde Banjo, Orekoya Adekitan, Bolanle Ashiru, Olalekan Olubanjo, Temitope Ashiru, Saidat Ashiru, and Adebola Adesanya, among others.
The petition declared the nomination exercise procedurally defective, null and void, warning that failure to address the grievances could lead to protracted litigation and possible unrest within Ijebuland.