Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged the Awujale Chiefs in Council to ensure a transparent and fair process in the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland, following the demise of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Oba Adetona, who reigned for over 65 years, passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, leaving the revered stool vacant.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Chiefs in Council at Iperu, Governor Abiodun stressed that Ijebuland must not remain without a monarch for long, noting that “nature abhors a vacuum.” He assured that his administration would support whoever emerges from the due process of selection.
“The process of installing another Awujale has started, and we must ensure that all provisions of Ijebu customs and laws are strictly adhered to,” Abiodun stated. “What is most important is a rancour-free process where all qualified candidates are given equal opportunity. The Council remains united, and I have absolute confidence in their integrity.”
The governor also commended the Chiefs for their loyalty and contributions to the late monarch’s peaceful reign, adding that the unity within the Council dispels recent rumours of division.
On his part, the Olootu Olowa and Deputy Chairman of the Council, Chief Oluwaranti Lekan Osifeso, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to peace and stability in Ijebuland. He pledged that the Chiefs would work collectively to uphold the legacy of unity and progress championed by the late Awujale.
Oba Adetona’s reign, widely celebrated for its progressive leadership and cultural preservation, remains one of the longest in Yoruba history. The process to fill the throne, one of the most prestigious in Yorubaland, is now underway.
