Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has dismissed as rumours allegations circulating that he suspended the selection process for the next Awujale in order to impose and install Prince Kuye to the ancestral stool of Ijebuland.

The Kingmakers also rejected reports that the state government halted the selection process to allow the governor to impose his preferred candidate on the Awujale throne.
The state government had, for the second time, announced the cancellation of the selection process for the 95 aspirants, including a female contestant, following reports and petitions submitted by security agencies.
The Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Council, Hon. Dare Alebiosun, directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Awujale kingmakers to suspend the ongoing process for the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Speaking on the nomination process, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, stated that the stoppage became imperative due to numerous petitions and security reports linked to the exercise.
“As you are aware, the Awujale stool is one of the foremost traditional stools in Yorubaland generally, and in Ogun State in particular, where it ranks among the paramount stools,” Hamzat said.
However, the Head of Awujale Kingmakers, who also doubles as Olorogun of Ijebuland, Chief Sonny Kuku, denied that Governor Abiodun halted the selection process to impose a candidate.

Kuku, dismissing the reports as mere speculation, said that at no time had the Kingmakers and the state government representatives sat for deliberations to impose any candidate, insisting that any attempt to impose a preferred candidate on them would be resisted.
“The government does not sit with the Kingmakers during deliberations. We do not work with them directly. As you know, in situations like this, there are always facts versus speculations. If any form of imposition occurs, certainly the public will know, because we will not tolerate that. However, that has not happened,” Kuku said.
In a swift reaction, the state government denied the allegation that the governor sought to impose Prince Kuye as the preferred candidate, describing the claims as “false and misleading.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said that Governor Abiodun only held meetings with the Afobajes (Kingmakers) and the Oloriebis to create harmony and ensure a smooth selection process for the next Awujale.
Akinmade affirmed that the governor remained committed to upholding due process and respecting the autonomy of traditional institutions to ensure a fair selection process, contrary to statements attributed to him such as “No Kuye, No Awujale,” which he said were fabricated by mischief-makers.
The statement read: “Ogun State Governor, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, has clarified circulating reports suggesting a confrontation between him and the Council of Afobajes regarding the Awujale selection. According to official sources, these claims are completely false and misleading.

“The Governor held a respectful consultative meeting with the Council of Afobajes, consistent with meetings he held in the past with the Olori Ebis that were hitherto polarised, fostering their harmonisation. Through such engagements, he also persuaded one of the kingmakers to withdraw a filed litigation.
“The discussions focused on matters of mutual concern in the interest of progress in traditional affairs within Ijebuland. Contrary to the rumours, Governor Abiodun did not issue threats or ultimatums. Statements attributed to him, including ‘No Kuye, No Awujale,’ are entirely fabricated and bear no relation to the Governor or his administration. No Afobaje will attest to such an occurrence, as it never happened. This is once again the fabrication of falsehoods by mischief-makers.

“The governor remains committed to upholding due process, respecting the autonomy of traditional institutions, and ensuring a fair process in the selection of a new Awujale for Ijebu. His administration continues to prioritise dialogue, harmony, and the preservation of cultural values.
“We all know how highly the Governor holds the throne of Awujale, which he has consistently demonstrated. Members of the public, traditional stakeholders, and the media are urged to disregard these unfounded insinuations and rely solely on verified information from official sources.”