The Awujale Kingmakers’ Council has cancelled a scheduled meet-and-greet with nominees for the Awujale stool and instead directed them to report to the Department of State Services office in Ijebu-Ode.
The development was communicated in a letter dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Olórí Ẹbí of Fusengbuwa, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and Chief Prof Fassy Yusuf.
According to the letter, the nominees were instructed to report to the DSS office along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11am. The council apologised for the sudden change and urged all nominees to comply strictly with the directive.
The letter, signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, stated that the palace meeting earlier scheduled at the Awujale Palace had been called off.
The move comes amid ongoing traditional processes surrounding the succession to the Awujale stool in Ijebuland.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter explained that about 96 individuals reportedly presented by the Fusengbuwa family were expected to undergo screening by the kingmakers before subsequent security profiling.
The source clarified that the DSS did not halt the process, noting that the state government had earlier issued a circular suspending all Awujale succession-related activities.
According to the source, the nominees were initially scheduled for routine profiling by the DSS as part of standard security vetting, which involves gathering basic information for background checks.
However, following another directive from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the profiling exercise was also suspended.
The source stressed that the suspension was a government decision and not initiated by the DSS, warning against misinformation surrounding the process.
