Awujale: Fusengbuwa ruling house rejects alleged removal of leadership

The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Ijebu-Ode, has rejected the purported removal of its Chairman, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, and two other principal officers.

Owoyemi said this on Wednesday in Ijebu Ode at a news conference.

The conference was organised to address issues  surrounding the purported removal of him and two other principal members of the kingmakers of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House for Awujale of Ijebuland.

The other principal members purportedly removed are: Deputy Chairman, Chief Oladokun Ajidagba, and Vice-Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.

He described as illegal a meeting held on Sunday by some members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, during which the decision for their alleged removal was taken.

Owoyemi said that the meeting was convened by those he described as “disgruntled elements” within the ruling house.

According to him, the conveners of the meeting had no authority to convene such a gathering or take decisions on behalf of the family.

Owoyemi explained that the ruling house previously had three factions, but that the Ogun State government intervened to foster unity among the factions.

According to him, the intervention resulted in the emergence of a unified leadership comprising representatives from the three factions.

He said that 12 delegates, four from each faction, were subsequently constituted into a management committee, while three additional members were later co-opted.

Owoyemi, therefore, maintained that the group lacked the authority to convene meetings or constitute committees on behalf of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The chairman said the Grand Council had thoroughly investigated the activities of the group and believed that their actions could have serious consequences for the family.

He urged the Ogun state government and the general public to disregard any resolutions or allegations emanating from the group.

Owoyemi reiterated that the Grand Council would continue to protect the unity, interests and legitimate position of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

“The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, resolved that the impostors and all their accomplices are hereby declared enemies of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

“That the government and the general public should discountenance whatever resolution or allegation that emanates from these enemies of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

“That the Grand Council at its meeting has passed a resounding vote of confidence on its leadership,” he said.

In his remarks, Yusuff said the family remained indivisible and “all enemies of progress” within would be dealt with legally.

On the selection process, he urged the state government to lift the embargo placed on it, by allowing the kingmakers to complete the exercise that would lead to the emergence of a new Awujale, in due course.