The esteemed stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland became vacant in July 2025 following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who had reigned for an impressive 65 years until his death at the age of 91. This vacancy initiated a rigorous selection process, attracting considerable interest from numerous aspirants within the royal families, with over 60 individuals initially declaring their intent to contest for the revered throne.

As the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in line to produce the Awujale, commenced the nomination process, Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM1, emerged as a prominent figure amidst the controversies. Ayinde, through his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), penned a letter dated January 8, 2026, to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State. In this communication, he vehemently alleged his exclusion from the ongoing selection process, claiming that directives issued by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House contravened the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, specifically aiming to disenfranchise him from the contest.

Ayinde's concerns escalated after the Ijebu Ode Local Government, through a letter from its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, dated January 6, 2026, granted approval for the ruling house to initiate the selection process. He expressed surprise and dismay that while family members were preparing for a general meeting, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, the family’s Public Relations Officer, issued a notice. This notice directed candidates to collect nomination cards and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Mitiu Adenuga, with the nomination exercise scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026. Crucially, the directive also stipulated that the selection would be carried out by delegates chosen at a meeting held on January 10, 2026. Ayinde asserted that these directives were inconsistent with both the spirit and letter of the relevant chieftaincy laws.

In response, Professor Fassy Yusuf, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, sharply criticised Wasiu Ayinde's protest letter, dismissing it as “arrant nonsense” and irrelevant to the selection process. He argued that Ayinde's concerns about the screening process were "illogical," citing the practical challenge of managing over 20,000 members in the ruling house without such a structure. Furthermore, the Fusengbuwa family has consistently maintained that Ayinde is not a member of their family and is therefore ineligible to participate in the process, a stance reinforced by some reports suggesting Ayinde belongs to the Fidipote Ruling House.

Prior to these public exchanges, Wasiu Ayinde had sought legal recourse by approaching the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu Ode. He requested an interim injunction to restrain Governor Abiodun and six others from proceeding with the selection process. However, the court denied his application, ruling that it lacked merit. Ayinde subsequently withdrew the suit without offering an explanation.

The nomination exercise for the Awujale stool proceeded on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Bisirodipe Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode. The venue was under tight security, with armed operatives from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed. Access was strictly restricted to accredited persons, with many being turned away for failing to present valid entry passes. The meeting, although starting late due to the delayed arrival of Ijebu-Ode Local Government officials led by Hon. Oke Adebanjo, was filled with members of the ruling house, delegates, observers, and eager residents.

During the nomination meeting, drama unfolded when a group suspected to be from the Orubodo Ruling House, led by Prince Adeyemi Ridwan, was denied access due to invalid entry passes. The group vehemently protested, accusing the organisers of disenfranchising them from participating in the selection process. This group was believed to be a faction supportive of Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde's aspirations for the throne.

The Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi, confirmed that a total of 95 princes and princesses from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House had formally indicated their interest in the Awujale stool. He outlined the next steps of the process: candidates who successfully pass the initial screening would have their names forwarded to the kingmakers, known as the Afobajes. The Afobajes would then select one candidate as the next Awujale, whose name would subsequently be submitted to the Ogun State Government for final confirmation.