The Fusengbuwa Ruling House has explained why it initially reduced the application form fee for the Awujale of Ijebuland stool from ₦100 million to ₦10 million, describing the decision as the result of internal consensus and a consideration of fairness among family members.

The Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, clarified on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme, amid ongoing controversy surrounding the stalled Awujale succession process.

Owoyemi said the family’s decision was taken at a convened general meeting and followed extensive deliberations in line with Yoruba traditional practice.

According to him, the idea of charging a fee was not unusual and was meant to support the logistics involved in the king-making process.

“In the first place, we started with 12 candidates after the family unanimously resolved that a price tag should be placed on anyone who wants to contest for the position of Awujale, as it is common in Yorubaland.

“At the members’ general meeting, various suggestions were made. The amount was reduced from 100 million [naira] to 10 million naira only, and the members were also informed.

“It went from ₦10 million to ₦50 million, to ₦25 million, to ₦20 million, until it finally settled at ₦10 million, and it was unanimously approved. 12 members applied and paid 10 million each,” Owoyemi stated.

Government Intervention, Refunds

The ruling house, however, stated that they refunded all monies paid after the Ogun State Government advised that the process should be opened up and made free for all eligible family members.

Owoyemi said the refunds were completed within three days and communicated to relevant state officials as evidence of compliance.

“We had an invitation from the Ogun State Govt to meet with the senior state officials.

“At that meeting, we were advised that what we had charged was not fair to everybody, and we should return all the 10 million each of the 12 candidates had paid and announce that any willing member of the family could apply and could collect the application form from us without paying a naira.

“Within three days, we were able to refund all the money to those who had paid, and we sent copies of the bank advice to the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, the Secretary to the State Govt, and the Governor himself in evidence that we have complied with the directive,” he said.

Nomination Fee Rationale

Addressing allegations that the Awujale stool was being commercialised, the Olori Ebi rejected the claim, insisting that the funds were meant solely for administrative expenses.

“No king-making process is ever done on empty hands,” he said, adding that the money was not intended to enrich any individual.

“The money was not supposed to be paid to anybody. It was meant to cover expenses incurred in organising the nomination process,” Owoyemi explained.

He maintained that nomination fees, where applied, are standard practice and are paid into the family’s account for collective use.

Owoyemi stressed that the family never intended to sell the throne, backing his position with a traditional proverb.

He argued that changes in the selection process have reduced the relevance of financial inducements to elders.

“In the past, the agbas (elders) selected the oba, but now the process has changed to mass participation of all members of the family, young or old. There is no cause for any sensible candidate to go and give money to any agba,” he stated.

The Awujale succession crisis followed the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona on July 13, 2025, and has since been characterised by disputes over eligibility, procedure, and the role of government.

The Ogun State Government suspended the selection process in January 2026 after petitions, protests, and security reports raised concerns about order and due process.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services has since invited all candidates for security profiling.

Despite the controversy, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has maintained that it acted transparently and in accordance with tradition throughout the process. (Channels)