The Fusengbuwa Royal Ruling House has warned against political interference, financial inducement, or intimidation in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland, insisting that the revered stool must be filled strictly in line with age-long customs and traditions.

Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, the spokesman of the ruling house, Prince Tunde Ogidan, said any attempt to influence the succession process through money or pressure would violate Ijebu tradition and undermine the sanctity of the Awujale stool.

“The Awujale stool remains a sacred traditional institution whose selection process must be guided strictly by customs and traditions handed down over generations. No amount of inducement or pressure should influence the emergence of the next Awujale of Ijebuland,” Ogidan said.

He attributed the rising tension and protests surrounding the succession process to misinformation and a lack of understanding of the established procedure, noting that the royal family initially chose to remain silent to observe developments.

“There is a lot of misinformation and a lack of information. For those protesting, it is more of a lack of information. The royal family deliberately kept quiet to observe how things would unfold,” he stated.

Addressing concerns over the unusually high number of aspirants, estimated at between 95 and 100, Ogidan explained that the long interval since the Fusengbuwa ruling house last produced an Awujale had resulted in a large pool of eligible descendants.

“One hundred years is a long time. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have expanded the family. That is why we have many eligible candidates today,” he said.

He clarified that the screening of candidates was carried out strictly by the royal family in line with the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and not by the kingmakers.

“All documents submitted by candidates were screened by the family. They were bagged in the presence of the DSS and the police, padlocked and taken directly to the palace, where they were handed over to the kingmakers, the Afobajes,” Ogidan explained.

Dismissing reports of division within the Fusengbuwa family, Ogidan said earlier disagreements had been resolved and that the family now speaks with one voice.

“We had three factions initially, but we came together. There is no faction anymore. We are one family,” he said.

He added that statutory timelines contained in the 2022 Chieftaincy Law made it impossible to restart the screening process after the family reunited.

Responding to allegations by a nominee that his name was omitted from the list, Ogidan said documentation would ultimately determine eligibility, noting that spelling errors or name discrepancies could be corrected during interviews.

He emphasised that no individual or group could impose a candidate, stressing that the process involves interviews, traditional rites, and legal confirmation by the government.

“No candidate can be selected and imposed. The process involves interviews, traditional requirements, and legal confirmation by the government,” he said.

Ogidan urged the Ogun State Government to allow the kingmakers to perform their duties without interference, expressing confidence that strict adherence to due process would ensure a peaceful and legitimate transition.