KWAM 1’s Fidipote ruling house requests for overturn of seat since Fusengbuwa defaults in timeframe
File Photo: Fuji artist, Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM1
The Fidipote Ruling House of Ijebu Ode has written to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area and Ogun State Government to overturn the right of the eligible ruling house, Fusengbuwa, to the vacant Awujale stool.
This was conveyed in a two-page letter addressed to the Secretary, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday.
In the letter co-signed by the Head and Secretary of the ruling house, Oba Tajudeen Omotayo and Omooba Tunde Aderibigbe, the family declared its eligibility to present candidates for the vacant stool of the Awujale, citing the expiration of the statutory period allotted to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House under the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021 and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.
It said the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which was first entitled to present candidates, failed to do so within the 14 days prescribed by law.
The Fidipote Ruling House is where veteran Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, was associated with before the Awujale stool became vacant.
He also became the Olori Omo-Oba Ijebuland through the ruling house, a title that was conferred on him by the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in 2023.
According to the family, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was officially notified and invited through a letter dated December 2, 2025, to submit candidates for the vacant Awujale stool in line with Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the law.
They stated that Section 15(1)(b) of the law mandates a ruling house to submit the names of its candidates within 14 days of such notification.
“We respectfully refer to your letter dated December 2, 2025, with Reference No 10LG584/0/29, wherein the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was formally notified and invited to present candidate(s) for the vacant stool of Awujale in accordance with Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021.
“Take notice as follows: Section 161(b) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021 mandatorily provides that a ruling house so entitled shall submit the name(s) of its candidate(s) not later than fourteen (14) days after the announcement by the Secretary af the competent council.
“2. The said statutory period of fourteen (14) days lapsed on 16th December. 2025, without the submission of any candidate(s) by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, to the best of our knowledge.
“3. By virtue of Section 16(1)(c) of the Ogun State Chiettaincy Law, 2021, where the ruling house first entitled fails to submit candidate(s) within the prescribed time, the next ruling house entitled under the order of rotation contained in the Declaration becomes legally entitled to present candidate(s).
“4. Under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959, the next ruling house, entitled after the Fusengwa Ruling House, is the Fidipote Ruling House,” the letter read.
Consequently, the family formally notified the authorities of its intention to present candidates for consideration and screening by the kingmakers.
In the same letter, the Fidipote Royal Family invited the Secretary of the Local Government, or his authorised representative, to attend its general meeting as an observer, in line with Section 16(1)(d) of the law.
The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Fidipote Royal Hall, 12 Fusigboye Street, Idewon Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, at 10 a.m.
The purpose of the meeting, according to the family, includes the formal expression of interest by aspiring candidates, screening by eligible family members in accordance with customary law, and voting and selection of candidates to be forwarded to the kingmakers.
“Pursuant to Section 16(1)(d) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, which authorises the presence of the Secretary of the Local Government or his duly authorised representative as an observer at meetings of ruling houses, we hereby cordially invite you to attend the General Meeting of the Fidipote Royal Family, scheduled as follows:
Date: Saturday, 20th December, 2025
Venue: Fidipote Royal Hall, 12 Fusigboye Street, Idewon Quarters, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Time: 10:00 a.m.”
The family assured the government that the process would be conducted peacefully, transparently and strictly in line with the law, established customary practices and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and other relevant authorities.
