New Olori Ebi for Fusengbuwa: Hope for Ijebuland

The announcement of Omooba Otukayode Hakeem Otufale as the new Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has opened a new chapter in the long search for the next Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

After months of arguments over how to conduct the succession, claims to leadership, and legal battles, this change is a chance to reset the process. It can help restore faith in an institution whose decisions affect many people beyond the family house.

The Awujale title is not just any traditional title. It is one of the most respected traditional roles in Yorubaland and is very important to the history, culture, and identity of the Ijebu people. The process of choosing the new Awujale must be handled with dignity and transparency, as expected from such a significant institution.

The problems before the rise of the new Olori Ebi were not just about the vacancy. They became worse with arguments over how the selection was managed, questions about who was consulted, and whether qualified members of the ruling house were involved. There were also issues with how funds were handled, and concerns about the names sent to the kingmakers without proper checks.

Members of the ruling house have raised issues about some aspirants being left out of meetings and arguments over who was in charge of the process. These are serious claims that need to be addressed properly. They should not just be seen as family disputes. The fact that the earlier process sparked enough controversy to need government intervention shows how crucial it is to get this next stage right.

The Ogun State Government had previously asked for the process to restart after finding issues that could lead to more disputes. The government then helped to resume the process. This is where the importance of the latest development lies.

The new Olori Ebi gives the Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House a chance to end internal disputes and focus on the task ahead: creating a credible process that the ruling house, the kingmakers, and the larger Ijebu community can trust. For this reason, the Ogun State Government deserves praise for allowing the ruling house to handle its leadership issues without turning the traditional institution into a political battleground.

The government's role should be to ensure fair play and uphold due process, not to decide who becomes the next Awujale. Its job is to make sure the laws and traditional rules are followed while letting the ruling house and kingmakers do their jobs. This difference is important.

The next Awujale's credibility must come from a fair selection process, not from any belief that the government pushed or supported a certain candidate. It is equally important to protect the traditional institution from political influence. Once the process is seen as a fight for government power, the dignity and legitimacy of the outcome could be at risk.

Recent events show how easily disagreements inside the ruling house can lead to public disputes. Reports have come out about conflicting claims to leadership within the Fusengbuwa family. Members of the previous leadership have also taken legal action against others in the family. The rise of Otufale should mark the start of healing, not more conflict. The new Olori Ebi has a historic duty.

He needs to act fast to set up a process that is clear, fair, and respects the customs and rules for selecting the Awujale. Every qualified aspirant should be treated the same. All eligible members of the ruling house need to understand the rules before the process begins. Screening should be done openly and with clear guidelines. Meetings should be documented properly. If funds are needed, there should be clear rules and accountability.

Most importantly, the process must aim to produce a candidate who is acceptable to all parts of the ruling house, not just one side. The new leadership should also focus on reconciliation. Those who disagreed with the new Olori Ebi should not be seen as enemies. Their concerns should be listened to and addressed where necessary. The goal should be to build a wide consensus around the process. The Ijebu people deserve nothing less.

The vacancy in the Awujale position has caught a lot of public interest because the institution is bigger than any one person. The next Awujale will take on a legacy built over many years and will be expected to provide stability and moral guidance for Ijebuland. This makes the selection process almost as important as the actual installation.

The Fusengbuwa/Jadiara Ruling House has a chance to turn this tough time into a moment of renewal. It can show that when a process gets tough, the right response is to correct mistakes, reconcile differences, and stick to the rules. The new Olori Ebi should not waste time getting started. He should talk to all family units, bring opposing views together, share the rules, set a clear timeline, and start the selection process without delay.

The government should keep providing the right framework and ensure that the rules apply equally to everyone, while avoiding pushing any specific outcome. This is how to protect the traditional institution. This is how to regain the trust of the Ijebu people. And this is how the search for the next Awujale can become a process worthy of the throne.