Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, has formally protested his alleged exclusion from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land. In a strongly-worded letter sent to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ayinde claims the procedures being followed contravene established laws and are designed to prevent him from contesting.
Legal Challenge and Allegations of Procedural Breach
The allegations were detailed in a letter dated January 8, 2026, dispatched to the Governor by Ayinde's lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu. The musician expressed deep concern over directives issued by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the family next in line to produce the new Awujale. Ayinde contends these directives violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State.
He referenced a prior letter from the Secretary of the Ijebu Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo, dated January 6, 2026, which granted government approval for the ruling house to commence the selection. However, Ayinde pointed to a subsequent notice from the family's Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, which he finds contradictory and unlawful.
Controversial Family Directives and Court Setback
The notice directed aspiring candidates to collect nomination cards and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Mitiu Adenuga. It scheduled the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, but confusingly stated the process would be handled by delegates selected at a meeting held two days earlier, on January 10, 2026.
This is not KWAM 1's first attempt to seek legal redress. He had earlier approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu Ode seeking an injunction to halt the selection process involving Governor Abiodun and six others. The court, however, refused the request, ruling that the application lacked merit, leading Ayinde to withdraw the suit.
A Crowded Contest and Familial Dispute
The selection for the revered Awujale stool has reportedly attracted over 60 contestants. The throne became vacant in July 2025 following the death of the 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for an impressive 65 years. The core of the dispute lies in the Fusengbuwa family's firm stance that Wasiu Ayinde is not a recognized member of their lineage, rendering him ineligible to participate in the royal selection process according to their customs.
Efforts to get an official reaction from the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Council were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The situation remains a developing story, highlighting the intricate blend of tradition, law, and modern celebrity in Nigeria's chieftaincy affairs.
