IJEBU-ODE, Ogun State, Nigeria — While the political elite bicker over bribery allegations and police summons, the local economy and social festivities that usually revolve around the palace have completely stalled. The Ogun State Police Command has once again stepped into the fray. For the second time, investigators have summoned nine kingmakers to the headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. They want answers regarding claims of financial inducement and bribery during the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebu land. The reality is simple. The common man is tired of the wait.
The real story is the human cost of this administrative gridlock. With 95 aspirants—94 princes and one princess—currently in the running, 95 families are living in a state of constant suspense. But beyond the royal circles, ordinary people are asking why the system is designed to make peace so difficult. What many don’t see is that every delay ripples through the streets of Ijebu-Ode. Local sources suggest that the absence of a monarch has created a vacuum that goes far beyond ritual. It is a social and economic anchor that is currently missing.
Okay News reports that the summons was formalized in a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the CID. The police have split the group. Four kingmakers must appear on Monday, April 21, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday. Chief Abimbola Okenla, the Kakanfo of Ijebu land, confirmed he received the invite. He didn’t hide his frustration. He noted that the frequent invitations over “unfounded allegations” are nothing more than a distraction. He is now pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to let them finish their job.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the shadow of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona looms large. He ruled for 65 years before passing in July 2025 at the age of 91. Replacing a man who was on the throne for six decades was never going to be easy. But the process has been particularly messy. Since the Fusengbuwa Ruling House nominated its candidates, the state government has halted the process twice. First, they cited procedural errors in December. Then, they blamed a “flood of petitions” in January.
Bribery claims involve massive figures that sound more like phone numbers than currency. Some allegations suggest inducements reaching ₦30 million ($20,000) or more per vote, though these remain unproven. Abdulateef Owoyemi, a former ICAN President and head of the Fusengbuwa family, is also calling for reason to prevail. He wants a leader who can build on the late king’s legacy. But here is the thing: until the police finish their “fact-finding,” the throne remains empty. The people just want to move on with their lives.
