94 Princes, One Princess Jostle for Awujale Throne as Fusengbuwa Unveils Longlist …Wasiu Ayinde Absent

ByNewsmakers

Jan 12, 2026 #Awujale Throne, #Fusengbuwa Ruling House, #Nominations for Awujale Stool

Ololade Adeyanju/

The race for the revered Awujale stool of Ijebuland entered a defining phase today as the Fusengbuwa Ruling House unveiled a comprehensive list of 95 eligible contestants, 94 princes and one princess, clearing the air on speculation and firmly setting the tone for a keenly watched traditional succession process in Ijebu-Ode.

The longlist, released after an internal nomination exercise, at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, reflects the depth of royal lineage within the Fusengbuwa dynasty and underscores the seriousness with which the process is being handled.

The nomination meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Prince Adedokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.

The Secretary to the Ijebu Ode Local Government, Abiodun Oke, and some other local government officials were present as observers.

Notably, Princess Oluwakemi Onanuga stands out as the lone female aspirant on the list, a rare but constitutionally valid inclusion that has already sparked conversations across Ijebuland.

Equally striking is the absence of Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde (K1 De Ultimate). Palace sources confirmed that the celebrated entertainer was not nominated during the exercise, putting to rest widespread rumours of his interest or eligibility in the current selection cycle.

The nominees, drawn strictly from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, span professionals, community leaders, entrepreneurs and traditional titleholders. While some aspirants are already well-known in public life, others maintain private profiles; a handful were listed without detailed biodata, indicating that verification and screening stages are still ongoing.

Traditional authorities explained that the publication of the names marked only the first gate in a multi-layered succession journey that would include background checks, lineage validation, consultations with kingmakers and eventual divination rites, in line with Ijebu custom.

A senior palace source described the development as “a transparent and inclusive beginning,” adding that the process is designed to protect the sanctity of the Awujale institution while giving all qualified descendants a fair chance.

“This list shows the strength and spread of Fusengbuwa. The Awujale stool is not about popularity or noise; it is about lineage, character and destiny,” the source said.