Head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Abdulateef Owoyemi, has assured that the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland will not be influenced by moneybags.

Speaking to journalists at his Idowa-Ijebu country home on Saturday, Owoyemi revealed that eight aspirants to the throne had offered money to the ruling house but were turned down.

“All that matters to us is a transparent and fair selection process where only the best from our ruling house are presented to the kingmakers,” he said.

He recalled that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, had warned against allowing wealthy individuals to hijack the succession process, noting that such interference could set Ijebu back.

Owoyemi appealed for unity within the family, urging members to put aside differences and work together to produce the best candidate for the revered stool.

“We are even ready to make concessions, as long as they are not injurious or unreasonable, for the sake of peace. We are all from the same root, so there should be no needless wrangling,” he said.

He dismissed claims by Prince Adedokun Ajidagba as the legitimate head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, citing a November 28, 2024, Court of Appeal judgment in Ibadan, which affirmed him as the duly appointed Olori Ebi since March 2013.

Owoyemi explained that the judgment resolved all issues in his favour and noted that even splinter groups have now accepted the court’s ruling.

He added that Oba Adetona had personally reconciled with him earlier in 2025, urging him to remain engaged as a senior title holder and trusted ally.

The octogenarian urged members of the ruling house to cooperate for a rancour-free, transparent process in selecting the next Awujale, insisting that history and the future of Ijebuland must be protected.