Ogun govt, Ijebu Chiefs clash over Awujale Council as succession crisis deepens
AI Executive Briefing
Verified Synthesis~76s read…State reconstitutes AIAC, insists Adele Oba Awujale group lacks legal backing By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta A fresh controversy has erupted over the administration of Ijebuland following the decision of the Ogun State government to reconstitute the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), barely a day after traditional chiefs in Ijebu-Ode announced the dissolution of the council and its replacement with the Adele Oba Awujale in Council. Dismissing the emergence of the Adele Oba Awujale in Council, the government maintained that the body had no legal or customary recognition under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or the existing chieftaincy laws of Ogun State.
Context & Background
- ✦The resolution stated: “Upon consideration of the applicable traditional and statutory framework, it was observed that the Ogun State Chiefs Law of 2021 does not expressly establish an Awujale Regency Council, nor does it prescribe a general procedure for the appointment of a Regent.” It added: “It was further noted that the Chiefs Law and Declaration of 1957 provide an existing framework within which customary declarations are made and recognised, including the traditional institution of the Adele Oba Awujale in Council.” Explaining the decision to replace the AIAC, the chiefs said: “In view of the foregoing, a motion was moved and unanimously adopted that all members of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC) should formally step down from their existing positions and transition into the Adele Oba Awujale in Council.” They further declared that the new body would assume responsibility for the administration of Ijebu-Ode during the interregnum.
Key Figures & Named Entities
Tuesday:In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, the state government said the withdrawal of some members of the AIAC did not invalidate the council or confer legal authority on another body to take over its responsibilities.2025:The government described the AIAC, established in August 2025, as the only legally recognised administrative structure empowered to manage the administrative and traditional affairs of Ijebuland until a new Awujale is appointed and crowned.2021:According to Hamzat, neither the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration nor the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law 2021 makes provision for an Adele Oba Awujale group or assigns it any recognised responsibility in the administration of the vacant Awujale stool.
Outlook & Next Steps
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract- …State reconstitutes AIAC, insists Adele Oba Awujale group lacks legal backing By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta A fresh controversy has erupted over the administration of Ijebuland following the decision of the Ogun State government to reconstitute the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), barely a day after traditional chiefs in Ijebu-Ode announced the dissolution of the council and its replacement with the Adele Oba Awujale in Council.
- Dismissing the emergence of the Adele Oba Awujale in Council, the government maintained that the body had no legal or customary recognition under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or the existing chieftaincy laws of Ogun State.
- The resolution stated: “Upon consideration of the applicable traditional and statutory framework, it was observed that the Ogun State Chiefs Law of 2021 does not expressly establish an Awujale Regency Council, nor does it prescribe a general procedure for the appointment of a Regent.” It added: “It was further noted that the Chiefs Law and Declaration of 1957 provide an existing framework within which customary declarations are made and recognised, including the traditional institution of the Adele Oba Awujale in Council.” Explaining the decision to replace the AIAC, the chiefs said: “In view of the foregoing, a motion was moved and unanimously adopted that all members of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC) should formally step down from their existing positions and transition into the Adele Oba Awujale in Council.” They further declared that the new body would assume responsibility for the administration of Ijebu-Ode during the interregnum.
Key Facts:Tuesday: In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, the state government said the withdrawal of some members of the AIAC did not invalidate the council or confer legal authority on another body to take over its responsibilities.2025: The government described the AIAC, established in August 2025, as the only legally recognised administrative structure empowered to manage the administrative and traditional affairs of Ijebuland until a new Awujale is appointed and crowned.2021: According to Hamzat, neither the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration nor the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law 2021 makes provision for an Adele Oba Awujale group or assigns it any recognised responsibility in the administration of the vacant Awujale stool.2025: To support its position, the state government cited a consent judgment delivered by the Ogun State High Court in suit number HCJ/180/2025, involving Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, against the Executive Council of Ogun State and 16 others.
Editorial Excerpt
The development has exposed a disagreement between the state government and some traditional authorities over the appropriate legal and customary structure for administering Ijebuland pending the appointment and coronation of a new Awujale.
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…State reconstitutes AIAC, insists Adele Oba Awujale group lacks legal backing By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta A fresh controversy has erupted over the administration of Ijebuland following the decision of the Ogun State government to reconstitute the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), barely a day after traditional chiefs in Ijebu-Ode announced the dissolution of the council and its replacement with the Adele Oba Awujale in Council.
Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?
Dismissing the emergence of the Adele Oba Awujale in Council, the government maintained that the body had no legal or customary recognition under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or the existing chieftaincy laws of Ogun State.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, the state government said the withdrawal of some members of the AIAC did not invalidate the council or confer legal authority on another body to take over its responsibilities.
