The Bubiade Royal Family of Ijebu-Ode has called for fairness and recognition of its customary rights in the ongoing selection of the new Awujale of Ijebuland.
The family insisted that their lineage deserved the opportunity to produce the next monarch.
The Olori-Ebi of the Bubiade Royal Family, Alhaji Olaide Yusuf Busura, made this call at a briefing held in Ijebu-Ode.
Alhaji Busura said the call was necessary to correct what he described as “a long-standing historical imbalance within the royal lineage of the Awujale stool.”
He explained that the Bubiade lineage traced its ancestry directly to Oba Jadiara, one of the past Awujales of Ijebu-Ode, adding that Bubiade was the first child of Jadiara.
Another child, Funsegbuwa, he claimed later produced Tunwase, whose descendants have historically produced several Awujales.
“Historical records show that the throne within the Jadiara royal family had repeatedly circulated between the descendants of Funsegbuwa and Tunwase, leaving the Bubiade lineage without any opportunity to ascend the throne,” Busura said.
He listed past monarchs from the other branches, including Oba Funsegbuwa, Adesimbo Tunwase, Adekoya Eleruja, and Adenuga Folagbade, who became Awujale in 1925.
“While the descendants of Funsegbuwa and Tunwase have produced multiple kings over the years, the Bubiade branch has never been given the chance to occupy the throne despite being direct descendants of Jadiara,” Busura said.
He noted that the current selection process presents an opportunity to correct these historical imbalances.
About eight eligible princes have emerged from the Bubiade lineage, compared to about 75 candidates from other branches.
“This imbalance illustrates the fundamental issue before us. A lineage that has never been given the opportunity now faces competition from lineages that have already had repeated opportunities over centuries,” he said.
The family also raised constitutional concerns, citing provisions of the Ogun State Chiefs Law 2021 and warning that any interpretation excluding Bubiade descendants from the process would conflict with Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on circumstances of birth.
Busura emphasised that in Yoruba traditional governance, kingship is not automatic inheritance but a process of customary selection among eligible princes from recognised royal lineages.
The Bubiade Royal Family appealed to the regent of Ijebu-Ode, Dr Sunny Kuku, the kingmakers, traditional rulers across Ijebu land, and the Ijebu-Ode Local Government authorities to ensure fairness in the selection process.
“It is not a departure from tradition but a restoration of fairness within tradition,” Busura said.
He urged all sons and daughters of Ijebu to uphold justice, unity, and respect for lineage to preserve peace and harmony in the kingdom.
The state government had, for the second time, halted the selection process in January, following petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, having reigned for 65 years.
Ninety-five aspirants — 94 princes and one princess from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House — emerged during the nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode.
The kingmakers, led by Dr Sunny Kuku, were about to commence the selection process when the government imposed the suspension.
The head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Abdulateef Owoyemi, urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to complete their assignment, noting the frustration and disappointment among the royal family and Ijebu sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora.
Owoyemi commended the governor for his support so far but stressed that distractions should not hinder the completion of the Awujale selection process.