Ogun reconstitutes Awujale Interregnum Council, names Adesanya Chairman, Okunowo Secretary

The Ogun State Government has announced the reconstitution of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), reaffirming its legal authority to oversee the administrative and traditional affairs of Ijebuland pending the appointment and coronation of a new Awujale.

The decision follows the reported withdrawal of some members of the council, established by the state government in August 2025, amid disagreements over the emergence of a group reportedly known as Adele Oba Awujale.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, the government said the withdrawal of some members did not invalidate the council, which remained the only legally recognised administrative body empowered to manage the affairs of Ijebuland during the interregnum.

The government clarified that Chief Chris Okunowo and Alhaji Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, had publicly dissociated themselves from the reported mass withdrawal.

Addressing the emergence of the Adele Oba Awujale group, the government declared that the body had no legal or customary recognition under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or the existing chieftaincy legislation in Ogun State.

According to the statement, neither the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration nor the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021 makes provision for an Adele Oba Awujale group or assigns it any recognised responsibility in the management of the Awujale stool.

It further explained that the Chiefs Law of 1957, which some former members reportedly relied upon to justify the emergence of the group, was a pre-independence legislation that no longer applied to Ogun State, which had operated under its own laws since its creation in 1976.

The government also 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, as judicial affirmation of the legality and authority of the AIAC.

It noted that all members of the council were parties to the suit and had consented to the judgment, which acknowledged the legality, validity and authority of the administrative body established by the state government to oversee the administrative and traditional responsibilities of Ijebu-Ode pending the appointment and coronation of a new Awujale.

The government further recalled that the court affirmed that where there was a conflict between the responsibilities of the administrative body and the traditional functions of the Olisa, the authority of the administrative body would take precedence.

It stressed that the judgment had not been appealed and remained binding on the parties.

While acknowledging the right of individual members to withdraw from the council, the government maintained that such decisions could not confer legal authority on another body to assume the responsibilities of the AIAC.

It consequently warned members of the public against engaging in official transactions or administrative dealings with individuals who had withdrawn from the council in their purported capacity as members of an alternative administrative body.

The government also urged the former members to refrain from actions capable of contravening the law or undermining the peace and stability of Ijebuland.

To ensure continuity in the administration of Ijebuland during the interregnum, the government announced the reconstitution of the council with the following members:

1. Chief Rasheed Adesanya, Olisa of Ijebu-Ode – Chairman.

2. Chief Chris Okunowo, Bobasuwa – Secretary.

3. Professor Jide Ajayi, Jagun Aso – Member.

4. Chief Stephen O Bakare, Babalaje – Member.

5. Chief Alade Shote, Otun Balogun – Member.

The government said the reconstituted council would continue to discharge the legally recognised administrative and traditional responsibilities of the AIAC until a new Awujale was appointed and crowned.

It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, respecting established traditional institutions and ensuring a peaceful and transparent process in the succession to the vacant Awujale stool.