The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which is direct descendants of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Alayeluwa Oba Theophilus Adenuga Tunwase (popularly known as Folagbade) and last monarch in the ruling lineage, has reaffirmed that only his immediate family has the legitimate right to present candidates for the vacant Awujale stool.

Folagbade ruling House stated this, while addressing the controversy surrounding succession to the revered throne, describing as misleading and unfounded, recent claims by some distant relatives, who it noted were now parading themselves as part of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Prince Bamidele Adenuga, head of the family and son of Oba Folagbade, while making the clarification, explained that history and tradition left no ambiguity as to who qualified to vie for the vacant throne.

“In Ijebu custom, the ruling house empowered to present candidates has always meant the immediate family of the last king within that lineage. In our case, that responsibility falls on the direct descendants of Oba Folagbade. This has been the consistent practice across generations and it is well supported by the Chiefs Law of 1959,” Prince Adenuga said.

Adenuga reiterated the family’s commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the Awujale stool, urging the Ijebu people to stand united in defending the dignity of the royal tradition, even as he noted that Awujale’s throne is not only about kingship, but also the symbol of Ijebu identity and pride and, therefore, the need to “resist every attempt to distort this sacred heritage.”

“Our people must stand united in defending the dignity of our royal tradition. The throne of Awujale is not only about kingship, it is the symbol of Ijebu identity and pride. We must all resist every attempt to distort this sacred heritage,” he said.

Backing this position, Secretary of the Ruling House, Prince Adekunle Adenuga, noted that kingship in Ijebuland followed the principle of primogeniture, adding tht only the male progeny – sons and grandsons of the last monarch were eligible.

According to him, grandsons from the female line of the last monarch can, in some special cases, also be eligible.

“The stool of Awujale has never been thrown open to distant relatives or extended kinship. Even in cases where ruling houses were skipped in history, it was because the immediate king left no male heir.

“At no point were unqualified relatives considered. Attempts to expand the definition of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House are inconsistent with our customs and consequently, a distortion of our heritage, mischievous of bringing in ineligible persons,” he stated.

Also speaking, Princess Mosunmola Odukomaiya, who is the eldest progeny and daughter of Oba Folagbade, appealed for unity among all Ijebu sons and daughters, urging them not to be swayed by misinformation.

She stated that sharing a common ancestry or oriki does not equate to eligibility for kingship, noting that the Awujale stool remained the pride of all Ijebus, which must not be desecrated by impostors or pretenders.

Odukomaiya, while affirming that the royal family continued to recognize its distant relatives as family in social contexts, equally insisted that only Folagbade’s immediate descendants bear the duty of succession at this time.

“Sharing a common ancestry or oriki does not equate to eligibility for kingship. The Awujale stool is the pride of all Ijebus and must not be desecrated by impostors or pretenders.

“Nevertheless, we continue to recognize our distant relatives as family in social contexts, but only Folagbade’s immediate descendants bear the duty of succession at this time,” Princess Odukomaiya stated.

The family commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his pledge to ensure a fair and transparent process, and also praised the Awujale Chiefs-in-Council and the Kingmakers for their integrity and commitment to preserving Ijebu tradition.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House disclosed that meetings had already been convened, and a list of eligible princes compiled, saying that the list would be transmitted to the Odis as soon as the Kingmakers formally declared the commencement of the selection process. (TRIBUNE)