Pius Ade Babaleye

06/07/2026

*AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OBA ISIAKA OSENI ADU, ODUNDUN ASODEDERO I, THE ALALE of AKUNGBALAND*

*Your Royal Majesty,*

I write this open letter with the deepest respect, humility, and unwavering loyalty to the throne of Akungbaland. May your reign continue to bring peace, unity, prosperity, and unprecedented development to our beloved kingdom.

First and foremost, I sincerely congratulate Your Royal Majesty on the wisdom, courage, and fatherly leadership you have continued to demonstrate since ascending the throne of your forefathers. Your commitment to preserving our rich cultural heritage while promoting peace and development is worthy of commendation.

Recently, I was particularly delighted when the prestigious chieftaincy title of Akinle of Akungbaland was bestowed upon Chief Rotimi Agede Williams. Without doubt, this honour was well deserved. Chief Rotimi Agede has consistently demonstrated his love for Akungba through his contributions to education, philanthropy, youth development, and community service. His recognition has inspired many sons and daughters of Akungba.

Your Royal Majesty, this noble gesture has also inspired me to humbly appeal that the palace should consider extending similar recognition to other deserving Akungba sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, who have continued to make remarkable sacrifices for the progress of our community.

Across different professions and walks of life, many Akungba indigenes have invested their resources, time, influence, and knowledge in the development of our land. Some have empowered youths, sponsored educational programmes, supported community projects, promoted our cultural heritage, created employment opportunities, and rendered humanitarian services without expecting anything in return.

Recognising such individuals with appropriate traditional titles will not only appreciate their selfless service but will also encourage others to emulate them. Honour remains one of the greatest motivations for continued service to one's community.

I respectfully suggest that consideration be given to individuals whose contributions are evident in areas such as:

*Human capital development.*

*Education and scholarships.*

*Youth empowerment.

*Community development projects.*

*Healthcare and humanitarian services.*

Promotion of Akungba's history, culture, and image.*

*Economic and infrastructural development.*

I also believe that respected community platforms, particularly Akungba Who's Who, alongside other credible community organisations and stakeholders, possess valuable knowledge of many individuals who have consistently distinguished themselves through genuine service to Akungba. Their recommendations could serve as useful guides in identifying worthy recipients.

Your Royal Majesty, rewarding merit will strengthen the bond between the throne and the people. It will encourage greater participation in community development and leave a lasting legacy of excellence for future generations.

As our revered father, your recognition of those who labour tirelessly for Akungba will further unite our people and inspire even greater commitment to the growth and transformation of our kingdom.

*May God Almighty continue to grant Your Royal Majesty good health, divine wisdom, long life, and a peaceful reign on the throne of your ancestors.*

*Long live His Royal Majesty, Oba Isiaka Oseni Adu, Odundun Asodedero I.

*Long live Akungbaland.*

*Long live Ondo State.*

*Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.*

*Respectfully submitted,*

Sign
*Pius Ade Babaleye (PAB)*
Community Development Advocate

26/06/2026

24/06/2026

AWUJALE SELECTION AND THE OLISA ADESANYA LETTER BROUHAHA: HOW A SINGLE LETTER TRIGGERED A MAJOR SUCCESSION CRISIS IN IJEBULAND

The controversy surrounding the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland erupted after the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, allegedly forwarded a letter to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, presenting a list of five princely nominees for the vacant throne and claiming they had been selected by the Awujale Afobaje (Kingmakers) Council.

However, the move immediately sparked outrage when the Afobaje Council, led by Chief Sunny Kuku, publicly disowned the letter and the list, insisting that no meeting was held, no deliberation took place, and no authorization was granted for the submission of any names.

WHAT TRIGGERED THE CRISIS?
At the heart of the dispute is the allegation that Chief Adesanya acted unilaterally by forwarding the names of five princes to the Governor without the approval of the Afobaje Council.

The controversy was further heightened by:
• Disagreement over who chairs the Afobaje Council, with the Council maintaining that Chief Sunny Kuku was duly nominated as Chairman at its inaugural meeting.
• Claims that Chief Adesanya misrepresented himself as Chairman of the Council.
• Objections to his use of the title "Alaiyeluwa," a title traditionally reserved for a reigning monarch.
• The fact that the Ogun State Government had earlier suspended the Awujale selection process on January 20, 2026, pending further directives and investigations into alleged irregularities.

According to the Council, no official meeting has been held since the suspension and no list of candidates has been approved.

THE FIVE PRINCES IN THE CONTROVERSIAL LETTER
The letter reportedly recommended the following princes for consideration:
• Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye
• Prince Isiaq Ayodele Adewale Adekoya (Eleruja)
• Prince Onabanjo Abimbola John
• Prince Oluwaseun Waheed Omopenu Onanuga
• Prince Olabode Onanuga

HOW THE MEDIA REPORTED IT
The development generated widespread media attention across local and national platforms.

Among the media organizations that reported the controversy were:

• Igboro Lawa Platform through Ijebu Today Newspaper, Today Update Magazine and Today RadioTV Online Station.

• Vanguard Newspaper, which reported the Ogun State Government's position and the Olisa's denial.

• BusinessDay Newspaper, which highlighted the Afobaje Council's rejection of the nominee list.

• Naija News, which reported the nomination claims and subsequent reactions.

• Punch Newspaper and other national media platforms.

Reports consistently focused on the conflicting narratives between the Olisa, the Afobaje Council and the Ogun State Government.

WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND THE SCENES?
Subsequent investigations and statements revealed deeper disagreements within the succession process.

The Afobaje Council maintained that:

• Chief Adesanya was never authorized to act or speak on behalf of the Council.

• The Council never met at his residence or office as claimed.

• Only four official meetings had been held since inauguration, all at the Awujale Palace and Oriental Hotel.

• The list of five princes was never deliberated upon, approved or endorsed by the Council.
The succession dispute also exposed underlying tensions involving allegations of external influence, financial inducements, political interference and attempts to manipulate traditional processes.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government continued to verify competing claims while ensuring that due process, legality and stakeholder acceptance remain central to the eventual selection process.

Reports also indicate that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) invited individuals connected to the succession process for questioning over allegations relating to procedural irregularities.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS
The major stakeholders in the succession process include:
The Awujale Afobaje Council
• Chief Sunny Kuku (Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu-Ode) – Chairman
• Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja (Lapoekun of Ijebu-Ode) – Secretary
• Chief Kunle Ogunade (Apebi of Ijebu-Ode)
• Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal (Olootu Ifore of Ijebu-Ode)
• Chief Oluwaranti Lekan-Osifeso (Olotu-Olowa of Ijebu-Ode)
• Chief Abimbola Okenla (Kakanfo of Ijebu-Ode)
• Chief Adebisi Adaran (Ogbeni Odi of Ijebu-Ode)
Other Critical Stakeholders
• Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, Olisa of Ijebu-Ode.
• Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
• The Ogun State Government.
• The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in line to produce the Awujale.
• Ijebu-Ode Local Government.
• Traditional, community and royal stakeholders across Ijebuland.

THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
The controversy raises significant legal and procedural questions.

Among them are:
Unauthorized Representation
The Afobaje Council argues that any communication sent without Council authorization lacks legitimacy and may amount to misrepresentation.

Improper Use of Traditional Titles
The use of the title "Alaiyeluwa" by a non-reigning monarch has been challenged as inconsistent with established traditional practice and provisions of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law.

Violation of Established Procedure
The Council insists that the provisions of the applicable Chiefs Declaration and traditional succession procedures were not followed in producing or forwarding the list.
Government Suspension Still in Force
Since the selection process remains officially suspended, any actions taken outside the approved framework may be considered null, void and without legal effect.

Risk of Litigation
Any deviation from the prescribed legal and traditional process could trigger fresh court actions, delay the succession process and further complicate the emergence of a widely accepted Awujale.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Beyond the controversy over a letter, the dispute has become a test of legality, transparency, traditional authority and institutional credibility.

While stakeholders await fresh directives from the Ogun State Government, the Afobaje Council continues to insist that only a process conducted in strict compliance with tradition, law and due process can produce a legitimate and generally accepted Awujale of Ijebuland.

For many observers, the central issue is no longer the names on any list, but whether the eventual occupant of one of Yorubaland's most revered thrones emerges through a process that is lawful, transparent, credible and beyond reproach.

Report by Femi Mebude for
Igboro Lawa
Today Radio-TV
Ijebu Today News HUB
Ijebu Today HUB
IjebuToday DebuMe
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DebuMe Delight
Igboro Lawa

23/04/2026