Fusengbuwa Family Worries Over New Awujale Selection Delay, Urges Abiodun To Resume Process

 

The royal family and indigenes, as well as residents of Ijebuland have expressed concerns over the delayed in the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

This followed the embargo placed on the Awujale selection process for second time by the Ogun State government over alleged petitions received on the exercise.

However, the head of Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, while reacting on the development, said the royal family, which is next in line to produce the new Awujale and people of Ijebu land are unhappy, frustrated and saddened over the delay.

Owoyemi explained that the stakeholders within and outside Nigeria are deeply worried over the indefinite suspension of the selection process by the state government.

The family head added that the royal family had been inundated with daily calls, especially from concerned indigenes of Ijebu land in diaspora, seeking updates on the emergence of a new Awujale.

According to him, there is need to lift the embargo on the Awujale selection process and allow the kingmakers to complete their assignment.

Owoyemi while commending governor Dapo Abiodun for his support so far, appealed to him not to allow any distractions to hinder the completion of the selection process as soon as possible.

“The royal family and indeed every son and daughter of Ijebu land will appreciate it if the governor can allow all these distractions to be put behind us because it has always been like that when people are contesting or competing for a position. Ramadan has begun, after which we shall have our annual Ojude Oba during Eid-el-Kabir, a gathering with religious and cultural significance.

“Everyone, both at home and in the diaspora, is waiting, but who will coordinate the preparation? The people are waiting for guidance. The truth is that they want to have the new Awujale. We want this matter concluded as soon as possible.

“I am overwhelmed; I receive calls every day from within and outside the country from family members who want to know what is happening, but I have nothing to tell them. Yes, we have also been appealing to the government, but we have received no response.

“There is a saying that if one stays too long in the toilet, one begins to see all manner of flies, and that is what is happening. I do not think suspending the selection process for this long is the way out. It is time the government allowed the kingmakers to do their job.

 “These are men of integrity and character who will not sell the Awujale’s throne for anything. The family is not happy with what is happening, and we are pleading with the government to lift the suspension and allow us to conclude the process.

“By now, the government should have had enough time to review whatever concerns it observed and lift the suspension. The people are expectant; they want a new Awujale as soon as possible. They have waited long enough. I receive calls from America, the UK, and across the country. The family is worried and unhappy with how everything has been left hanging.

“The governor has tried, but it is time to conclude the process. This process must be completed, and someone must emerge. This is the plea of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. We sincerely beg the governor to allow the kingmakers to finish their job.”

It will be recalled that a total of 95 candidates are jostling for the stool which became vacant following the passing of Late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.