The Awujale Kingmakers’ Council has cancelled a planned meet-and-greet with Awujale nominees at the Awujale Palace, directing the nominees to instead report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Ijebu-Ode.
The directive was conveyed 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. The letter instructed all nominees 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. prompt.
The letter read in part: “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled. Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office…at 11:00 a.m. prompt. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive.”
The letter was signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, who emphasised strict compliance with the new instructions.
The move comes amid ongoing traditional processes surrounding the Awujale stool in Ijebuland. A source familiar with the matter said about 96 individuals initially required by the Fusengbuwa family were expected to participate in the palace screening exercise.
“Those individuals were present at the palace for screening by the kingmakers. It is important this is clearly understood,” the source said, adding that the DSS did not halt the exercise.
According to the source, the postponement resulted from an official circular from the state government suspending all Awujale succession-related activities. “Before the postponement, nominees were expected to visit the DSS office for profiling as part of standard security vetting. This involves filling forms to provide information necessary for comprehensive community vetting,” the source explained.
The profiling exercise, which was to span several days, was suspended following the government directive. “Higher authorities within the DSS directed that the profiling exercise be suspended as well. This explains why some nominees were seen around without the exercise proceeding,” the source said.
The source urged caution against misinformation, stressing: “The DSS should not be associated with any false narrative. The suspension was a government decision, not an action initiated by the DSS. There is no intention to gag the press or restrict lawful reporting. Our only concern is accuracy and the avoidance of misinformation.”
Elijah Adeyemi
