The Regent and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Sonny Kuku, has reiterated that the kingmakers will ensure that the selection process for the next Awujale will be peaceful and end without rancour.

Meanwhile, the kingmakers have vowed to resist the imposition of any sort, following Governor Dapo Abiodun’s alleged preference for a particular candidate.

But the governor dismissed the allegation as rumour. The kingmakers disclosed that only six of the about 95 applications submitted for the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool were complete.

Speaking against the backdrop of the government’s decision to stop the nomination process, Kuku debunked insinuations suggesting any inference of the government, saying that the state government was interested in ensuring a peaceful outcome.

He said: “The kingmakers cannot say much at this time because we have a very onerous task. We are confident that the government is also interested in ensuring a peaceful outcome. We are consulting with them, and we believe that something will happen soon.

“Regarding reports from the grapevine suggesting government’s interference, we are unable to comment on that. The government does not sit with the kingmakers during deliberations. We do not work with them directly, and in situations like this, there are always many rumours. We try to separate fact from speculation. If any form of imposition occurs, we will certainly let the public know, because we will not tolerate that. However, that has not happened.”

THE state government, for the second time, announced the cancellation of the selection process of the 95 aspirants, including a female contestant, for the next Awujale following reports and petitions submitted by security agencies.

Also, the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Council, Dare Alebiosun, directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the 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, Ganiyu Hamzat, stated that the stoppage of the process became imperative due to numerous petitions and security reports linked to the selection exercise.

According to Kuku, although the selection process had commenced, many of the applications submitted by the ruling families were incomplete, leaving only about six that met the required documentation.