Awujale Stool: Kingmakers Cancel Meeting with Nominees, Direct Them to DSS Office

The Awujale Kingmakers’ Council has cancelled a planned meeting with nominees for the Awujale stool earlier scheduled to hold at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode, directing the nominees instead to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in the town.

The decision was communicated in a letter dated January 20, 2026, addressed to leading members of the Fusengbuwa ruling family and other concerned parties. In the letter, the council informed them that the scheduled meet-and-greet at the palace had been cancelled.

The nominees were instructed to present themselves at the DSS office along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m. The council apologised for any inconvenience caused by the sudden change and urged all nominees to comply strictly with the directive.

The letter was signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, who emphasised the need for punctuality and adherence to the instructions.

The development comes amid ongoing traditional and administrative processes surrounding the succession to the Awujale stool in Ijebuland.

A source familiar with the process explained that about 96 individuals from the Fusengbuwa ruling family were initially expected to participate in a screening exercise by the kingmakers at the palace. According to the source, the nominees had already gathered for the screening before the change in plans.

The source clarified that the DSS did not halt the exercise. Instead, the suspension followed an official directive from the state government instructing that all activities related to the Awujale succession be put on hold.

It was explained that the nominees were initially scheduled to visit the DSS office for routine profiling as part of standard security vetting. The profiling process, which involved the completion of forms to obtain personal and community-related information, was intended to support comprehensive background checks.

However, after a circular from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs suspended all Awujale succession activities, higher authorities within the DSS also directed that the profiling exercise be halted.

The source cautioned against misinformation, stressing that the suspension was a government decision and not an initiative of the DSS. It was also emphasised that there was no attempt to restrict lawful reporting, but rather a need to ensure accuracy and prevent false narratives.

In summary, all activities surrounding the Awujale stool, including the planned profiling of nominees, remain suspended following a state government directive.

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