The Fidipote Royal House has notified the Ogun State government that it is next in line to present candidates to contest and assume the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Ijebu-Ode.

The Fidipote Royal House, which Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde hails from, explained that the 14 days granted by the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law 2021 to a ruling house, in this case, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House,  to present candidates has elapsed. It said the ruling house next in line must therefore, in compliance with the law, take over the responsibility.

The letter, addressed to the secretary, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, was dated December 17, 2025, and signed by the head of the Fidipote Royal House, Tajudeen Ibirogba Ishola Omotayo, who is the Onimope of Imope.

The letter was titled, “Notice of lapse of statutory period and invitation to Fidipote Ruling House Meeting pursuant to Section 16 of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law 2021, and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.”

It read, “We write on behalf of the Fidipote Ruling Family, one of the recognised ruling houses entitled to the stool of the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, pursuant to the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.

“We respectfully refer to your letter dated 2nd December, 2025, with Reference No. IOLG 584/0/29, wherein the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was formally notified and invited to present candidate(s) for the vacant stool of Awujale in accordance with Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021.

“Take note as follows: Section 16(1)(b) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021 mandatorily provides that a ruling house so entitled shall submit the name(s) of its candidate(s) not later than fourteen (14) days after the announcement by the Secretary of the competent Council.

“The said statutory period of fourteen (14) days lapsed on 16th December, 2025, without the submission of any candidate(s) by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, to the best of our knowledge.

“By virtue of Section 16 (1) (c) of the of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021, where the ruling house first entitled fails to submit candidate(s) within the prescribed time, the next ruling house entitled under the order of rotation contained in the Declaration becomes legally entitled to present candidate(s).

“Under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959, the next ruling house entitled after the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is the Fidipote Ruling House.

“In the circumstances, and in strict compliance with the above stated statutory and customary provisions, the Fidipote Ruling Family hereby formally notifies your office that it is now legally entitled to present candidate(s) for consideration and screening by the Kingmakers.”

The Fidipote Royal House, therefore, pursuant to Section 16 (1)(d) of the Chieftaincy Law authorising the presence of the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, or his authorised representative, as an observer at meetings of ruling houses, invited them to the family’s general meeting billed for 10:00 a.m. on December 20, 2025, at Fidipote Royal Hall, 12 Fusigboye Street, Idewon Quarters.

It stated that events lined up for the meeting include, “Formal expression of interest by intending candidates; screening of candidates by eligible family members in accordance with customary law and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959; voting and selection of candidate(s) to be forwarded to the Kingmakers in line with Section 16 (1) (b) and (e) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021.”

The Fidipote Ruling House assured that the entire process would be conducted peacefully, transparently and strictly in accordance with the law, established customary practices and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959.

The development comes almost a week after the Fusengbuwa Ruling House rejected Ayinde’s formal application and disqualified him from contesting the vacant Awujale stool, claiming that its investigation failed to reveal any proof of his membership of the Jadiara or Fusengbuwa ruling houses.