Abdulateef Owoyemi, head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house and a former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, has dismissed reports that a screening committee has been formed to select the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Owoyemi explained that the ruling house is still in the process of creating a fair and transparent selection system that would be acceptable to all stakeholders. He made this known on Friday while receiving members of the Tunwase family, led by Mr. R.O. Shonibare, at his residence in Idowa, Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Following the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on July 13 at the age of 91, the Fusengbuwa ruling house is next in line to present a candidate for the throne.
According to Owoyemi, no concrete decisions have been made regarding screening forms, application fees, or the number of aspirants that each family can nominate. “People may claim committees are being formed elsewhere, but the Fusengbuwa ruling house has not set up any,” he clarified.
He also stressed that the selection process will not be commercialised, warning that excessive financial demands could undermine its integrity. “We must ensure that only the most suitable candidate emerges through a process that is open and credible,” he added.
Owoyemi urged the Ogun State Government and the kingmakers to work closely with the ruling house to promote unity and progress in Ijebuland.
In response, Shonibare reaffirmed the Tunwase family’s support for Owoyemi’s leadership and pledged their cooperation in the selection process.
