Onabanjo-Kuye Rivalry Deepens Rift in Ijebuland: Awujale Succession Sparks Tradition, Politics, and Public Scrutiny in Ijebu-Ode

The demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in 2025 brought to a close one of the longest and most consequential reigns in Yoruba history. In the months since, the transition process in Ijebuland has evolved into a complex engagement between tradition, statutory oversight, and heightened public attention.

What would ordinarily unfold as a solemn customary exercise has attracted unusual scrutiny. Central to the situation is a reported divergence in perspectives between the Afobajes the kingmakers vested with responsibility for nominating an Awujale and the Ogun State Government over aspects of the succession process.

Accounts widely circulated within Ijebu-Ode indicate that a meeting reportedly held in Lagos and referenced in Terim involved discussions between representatives of government and the Afobajes. It has been publicly discussed that during those engagements, the Afobajes did not align with what some perceived to be a preference for Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye. In turn, the kingmakers are said to have maintained that the aspirant they identified, Prince Abimbola Onabanjo, remained their nominee.

No official transcript of such discussions has been released. However, the narrative surrounding that engagement has shaped much of the public discourse. Supporters of the Afobajes describe their posture as a defense of customary autonomy. Others argue that government oversight is both lawful and necessary within the framework regulating chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.

The timing of the process has also drawn attention. With a gubernatorial transition expected in Ogun State in early 2027, conversations in political and civic circles have touched on whether the succession timeline might intersect with broader administrative considerations. No official statement has linked the two developments, and government representatives have consistently described their role as procedural rather than political.

Petitions and allegations reportedly submitted during the early phase of the selection process have further complicated the atmosphere. Public commentary has referenced claims involving gifts and material exchanges. To date, no formal findings establishing wrongdoing have been announced, and no individual has been adjudged culpable. Nonetheless, the existence of petitions has been cited by government officials as justification for caution and review.

Authorities have stated that due diligence requires ensuring that all customary requirements are satisfied, including the proper constitution of the Ilamuren, a key traditional body whose role is integral to the nomination framework. Some community observers, however, have pointed to delays in completing certain traditional rites necessary for formally constituting that body. The result has been a procedural pause, with each institution operating within its interpretation of its mandate.

Within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, from which the next Awujale is to emerge, no formal declaration of division has been announced. Yet alignments have formed around Prince Onabanjo and Prince Kuye. Both princes have publicly denied presenting themselves as Awujale-elect and have affirmed their commitment to lawful and customary processes. Public debate has largely been animated by supporters and commentators rather than by formal pronouncements from the aspirants themselves.

Political undercurrents have also featured in commentary. The Awujale stool carries influence beyond Ijebu-Ode, resonating culturally across Ogun and Lagos States. Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu both preside over constituencies with deep Ijebu heritage. While neither governor has publicly framed the succession in political terms, public analysis has occasionally situated the debate within broader alignments inside the All Progressives Congress, including conversations referencing figures such as Gbenga Daniel. These remain matters of public commentary rather than official positions.

Amid the evolving discourse, the Association of Sons and Princes of the Four Ruling Houses has emerged as an additional institutional voice. In a letter reportedly addressed to the Afobajes, the association requested an opportunity to present its perspective. The group expressed the view that, as direct stakeholders within the ruling houses, its members should be allowed to articulate their understanding of lineage and eligibility. According to individuals familiar with the correspondence, the stated objective was to promote inclusivity and to ensure that due process is observed within the customary framework.

The legal structure governing the process is defined by the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, which provides for traditional nomination subject to statutory oversight and executive approval. This hybrid arrangement reflects the constitutional balance between customary authority and state responsibility for public order.

In December 2025 and again on January 20, 2026, the Ogun State Government announced a suspension of the selection process, citing petitions, procedural concerns, and security considerations. Officials described the intervention as preventive and clarified that no candidate had been formally approved.

Civil society groups in Ijebu-Ode have since organized peaceful demonstrations calling for transparency and fairness. For many residents, the issue is larger than individual aspirants. The Awujale stool remains central to cultural identity and economic life, particularly through globally recognized events such as the Ojude Oba Festival.

As of early March 2026, the throne remains vacant. The Afobajes, the ruling house, the association of princes, and the Ogun State Government continue to operate within their respective roles under customary and statutory frameworks.

At its core, the moment raises a fundamental question: can tradition and statutory governance align in a manner that strengthens public confidence? In Ijebuland’s transition, legitimacy will ultimately rest not only on ancestry, but on adherence to process. The enduring challenge is to ensure that the path to the throne reinforces communal trust and institutional integrity alike.

Oluwaseun Adetokunbo is a historian of Yoruba culture and heritage, based in Abeokuta.

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