Awujale Throne: Crisis worsens as Sunny Kuku, others criticize Olisa, say ‘your letter to Governor Abiodun is dishonest, fraudulent, totally irresponsible’

The crisis rocking the process of choosing a new Awujale of Ijebuland has deepened, as the Afobaje Council, on Friday, criticized the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, for sending a letter to Governor Dapo Abiodun and calling himself the head of the Council.

Olisa had signed the letter in a correspondence with the governor as head of the rulers of Ilamuren.

The Council, led by Chief Sunny Kuku, however, rejected that notion, saying the Council did not confer such rights on Adesanya.

The Council members, in a jointly signed statement, said that Olisa does not have the authority to present himself as their leader.

They also accused Olisa of referring to himself as “Alaiyeluwa”, a title reserved for crowned traditional rulers.

The statement was signed by six members of the Council led by Chief Sunny Kuku, the Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu.
Others are Chief Kunle Ogunade, the Apebi of Ijebu; Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal, The Olootu Ifore; Chief Lekan Osifeso, the Olootu Olowa; Chief Okenla, the Kakanfo; and Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, the Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode and Council Secretary Awujale Afobaje.

The statement reads:
OFFICIAL REBUTATION TO THE ALLEGED LETTER OF CHIEF RASHEED ADEOYE ADESANYA, THE OLISA OF IJEBU ODE TO THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE ON THE FILLING OF THE AWUJALE STOOL.

The attention of the Awujale Afobaje Council has been drawn to a letter dated April 14, 2026, circulating in the public domain, purportedly written by Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu Ode.

In the said letter, Chief Adesanya referred to himself as “Alaiyeluwa”, an appellation traditionally and exclusively reserved for a reigning Oba. Since Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Adesanya, is not a crowned monarch, the use of such title is inappropriate, misleading and even criminal under the Obas and Chiefs of Ogun State Act, 2021.

More importantly, Chief Adesanya claimed in the same letter that he is Council President Awujale Afobaje. This statement is categorically false and contrary to the facts contained in the Council meeting minutes.
It is also pertinent to state that the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government was present as an observer at the meetings held by the Council as required by section 16.1 (d) of the Obas and Chiefs Act of Ogun State, 2021.

The Declaration of the Chiefs of Western Nigeria, 1957, clearly states that the recognized Kingmakers (Afobaje) of Ijebu Ode are vested with the responsibility of selecting an Awujale. These are:

1. The Olisa of Ijebu Ode
2. The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Ode
3. The Egbo of Ijebu Ode (vacant)
4. The Apebi of Ijebu Ode
5. The Holotufore of Ijebu Ode
6. The Olotu-Olowa of Ijebu Ode
7. The Ogbeni Odi of Ijebu Ode
8. The Ekeji Odi of Ijebu Ode (vacant)
9. The Oluwo of Ijebu Ode (vacant)
10. The Agbor of Ijebu Ode (vacant)
11. The Kakanfo of Ijebu Ode
12. The Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode
13. The Balogun of Ijebu Ode

The Declaration is silent on who the President is.

However, at the inaugural meeting of the Awujale Afobaje Council held at the Aafin Awujale on December 2, 2025 at 11.30am, all nine duly recognized Afobaje chiefs were present, with the exception of the currently vacant positions.

During that meeting, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa, himself appointed Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku, to serve as Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council. The nomination was supported and adopted unanimously by all nine members present.

It is therefore not only dishonest, but surprising and shameful that Chief Adesanya himself now seeks to present himself as Prime Minister. This claim constitutes a clear distortion of the facts and is therefore rejected in its entirety.

Furthermore, we state unequivocally on behalf of Awujale Afobaje Council members that no Council meeting has ever been held either at the residence or office of the Olisa of Ijebu Ode. Any statement to the contrary is false and intended to mislead the public.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Awujale Afobaje Council had convened only four meetings since its inauguration, namely:

1. Inaugural meeting – 2 December 2025

Held at Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. In this meeting, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya appointed Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku, Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, as Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council.

2. Second meeting – 13 January 2026

Held at Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. Representatives of the Olori ebi of the Ruling House of Fusengbuwa met with the Council to discuss the criteria and procedures relating to the selection of a new Awujale.

3. Third meeting – 19 January 2026

Held at Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. Fusengbuwa Government House has formally submitted the names of its candidates for consideration for the Awujale stool.

4. Fourth meeting – 20 January 2026

The Council began work in conclave at the Oriental Hotel to evaluate the applications presented. However, during the course of its proceedings, the Council received a letter from the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government informing them that the process had been suspended. In accordance with the lawful authority of the state government, the Council immediately suspended further proceedings.

Since that date, and as law abiding citizens committed to due process, the Awujale Afobaje Council has not met to continue the selection process.

Therefore, it comes as a surprise to the Council that Chief Adesanya allegedly arrived at a list of five names supposedly recommended for the Awujale stool. At no time did the Council deliberate, approve or authorize this list. Furthermore, nothing is foreseen in the two enabling laws for these appointments.

Accordingly, the purported recommendations contained in his letter represent solely his personal views and imagination and have no connection with the Awujale Afobaje Council.

CONCLUSION:

Accordingly, Council Awujale Afobaje declares the following:

1. That the Council never held any meeting at the official residence or office of the Olisa of Ijebu Ode.
2. That no correspondence has been received from the Ogun State Governor’s Office requesting the submission of a list of candidates for the Awujale stool.
3. That the Ogun State Government is a law-abiding institution that normally communicates through appropriate statutory channels, particularly through the office of the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government in matters relating to the ongoing trial.
4. That the letter currently circulating be ignored and treated as a personal and unauthorized communication that does not originate from the Awujale Afobaje Council.
5. That the contents of the said letter are capable of creating confusion, misinformation and an unnecessary breach of peace in Ijebu Ode.
6. That the undersigned members of the Awujale Afobaje Council completely dissociate themselves from the alleged selection exercise and the recommendations contained therein.
7. That the Board brings the matter to the attention of the relevant authorities for necessary action to safeguard the integrity of the selection process and prevent further unauthorized representations.

We, therefore, urge all sons and daughters of Ijebu Ode, as well as residents of our ancient kingdom, to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding as we await the directive of the Ogun State Government regarding the continuation of the selection process for a new Awujale.

The Awujale Afobaje Council remains committed to enforcing the law, preserving the customs and traditions of Ijebuland and ensuring that due process is always followed.

We thank the good people of Ijebuland and Nigerians in general for their patience, understanding and continuous support. We assure everyone that the situation remains under control and that the Council will continue to act responsibly in the overall interest of Ijebuland.

May Almighty God continue to guide us in the right direction and preserve the peace and unity of our land.

Amen.

Finally, we urge His Excellency the Governor of Ogun State to ignore the letter written to him by the Olisa of Ijebu Ode purporting to forward a list of some candidates to the Governor. The content of the letter is very dishonest, fraudulent, totally irresponsible. We, the Afobajes of the Awujale stool, did not authorize it and the content is totally false!

Electronically signed:

1. Chief Sunny Kuku – Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu.
2. Chief Kunle Ogunade – The Apebi of Ijebu.
3. Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal – The Olootu Ifore
4. Chief Lekan Osifeso – The Olootu Olowa.
5. Cape Okenla – The Kakanfo.
6. Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja – The Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode and Secretary, Awujale Afobaje Council.