The Ogun State Government has officially reconstituted the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), moving swiftly to fill a leadership vacuum and reassert its authority over the traditional governance of Ijebuland. This decisive action comes in the wake of a splinter movement by a faction of traditional chiefs who attempted to establish an unauthorized administrative body. The reconstituted council is now tasked with managing the administrative and traditional affairs of the Ijebu nation, pending the selection, appointment, and coronation of a successor to the late Paramount Ruler, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The formal announcement, delivered on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, signals the state government’s refusal to allow the transition period to be marred by parallel power structures. By naming Alhaji Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, as the Chairman, and Chief Chris Okunowo as the Secretary, the government has effectively consolidated its grip on the transition process, ensuring that the AIAC remains the sole legitimate entity empowered by the laws of Ogun State to oversee the interregnum.

The Context of the Interregnum

The vacancy on the throne of the Awujale of Ijebuland is a significant event in the cultural and political life of Southwestern Nigeria. Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away on July 13, 2025, was a towering figure in Nigerian traditional politics, having reigned for over six decades. His demise necessitated the establishment of a formal framework to ensure that the customary and administrative responsibilities of the Ijebu monarchy were not abandoned during the mourning and selection period.

In August 2025, the Ogun State Government established the AIAC to serve as a bridge between the passing of the late monarch and the emergence of his successor. This council was designed to operate within the parameters of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021. However, the stability of this arrangement was challenged recently when a group of high-ranking chiefs, previously led by Olorogun Dr. Sonny Kuku, announced their resignation from the government-backed council. In a move that caught many observers by surprise, this faction declared themselves the "Adele Oba Awujale in Council," effectively attempting to create a rival authority.

Chronology of the Dispute

The friction between the state government and the dissident chiefs escalated rapidly within a 24-hour window. The process began with a meeting involving the Ilamuren, Pampa, Odi, and other traditional titled chiefs in Ijebu-Ode, where the decision to step aside from the AIAC was finalized. Shortly thereafter, the group announced its formation of an "Adele Oba."

The state government’s response was immediate and legally grounded. Within hours of the dissident announcement, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs issued a stern clarification, invalidating the new body and reaffirming the AIAC’s status. The government highlighted that the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Alhaji Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, and Chief Chris Okunowo had refused to participate in the walkout, choosing instead to align with the state’s constitutional directive. This split within the ranks of the traditional council weakened the legitimacy of the "Adele Oba" movement and provided the government with the necessary political capital to move toward a swift reconstitution.

Legal and Statutory Foundations

The core of the dispute rests on the interpretation of chieftaincy laws in Nigeria. The dissident group sought to justify their actions by referencing the Western Region Chiefs Law of 1957. The Ogun State Government, however, has dismissed this reliance as legally flawed. Officials point out that the 1957 law is a pre-independence statute that has been superseded by the codified laws of Ogun State, specifically the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law.

Furthermore, the government’s position is bolstered by a binding consent judgment from the Ogun State High Court in suit number HCJ/180/2025. In this case, which involved the current Chairman, Alhaji Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, and the Executive Council of Ogun State, the court affirmed the legality of the AIAC. Crucially, the judgment explicitly stated that the AIAC is the sole administrative organ for the interregnum and that its authority takes precedence over any conflicting traditional functions. Because all members of the council were parties to this suit and consented to the judgment, the state argues that the current attempt to bypass the AIAC is not just a breach of policy, but a direct challenge to a subsisting court order.

Implications for Succession and Public Order

The attempt to form an "Adele Oba" group has raised concerns regarding the stability of the transition process. In traditional Yoruba society, the interregnum is a period of heightened sensitivity. Any perception of a power struggle can disrupt the delicate balance between the traditional chiefs and the government, potentially leading to social unrest or delays in the search for a new monarch.

By labeling the dissident group’s actions as having no "legal or customary foundation," the government is seeking to prevent confusion among the public and corporate entities. The warning issued to the public—to avoid official dealings with any entity other than the reconstituted AIAC—is a standard administrative safeguard. It ensures that any decisions made during the interregnum, including the eventual selection of the next Awujale, are protected from future legal challenges based on the authority of the acting body.

The government’s message to the aggrieved chiefs is equally pointed: while individuals have the right to withdraw from a council, such actions cannot be used as a vehicle to undermine the state’s statutory duties. The government has cautioned these figures against any activities that might breach the peace or violate the court-mandated structure, signaling that it is prepared to use its full regulatory authority to maintain order.

Supporting Data and Administrative Continuity

The AIAC serves as a vital administrative apparatus, managing everything from the preservation of cultural heritage to the coordination of local government-level security in Ijebu-Ode. The inclusion of the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode as Chairman is particularly significant. As a senior chief, the Olisa carries substantial weight in the traditional hierarchy, providing the AIAC with the necessary cultural legitimacy to continue its work.

The reconstituted membership of the council, which includes experienced administrators and traditional leaders, is expected to focus on three primary objectives:

1. Administrative Stability: Ensuring the continuity of governance in the Ijebu traditional council area.
2. Succession Management: Facilitating a transparent and legally compliant process for the selection of the next Awujale, in accordance with the registered Chieftaincy Declaration.
3. Legal Compliance: Ensuring that all actions taken during the interregnum adhere strictly to the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

Analysis: A Test of Institutional Resilience

The current situation in Ijebuland is a test of the resilience of the local chieftaincy system in the face of modern administrative oversight. The conflict highlights the tension that can arise when traditional institutions, governed by centuries-old customs, intersect with the rigid, codified requirements of a modern state.

Historically, the role of the "Adele" (regent) has often been a point of contention in many Yoruba kingdoms. However, in the modern era, the state government’s role as the final arbiter of these processes is firmly established. By grounding its actions in the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and a specific High Court judgment, the Ogun State Government has signaled that it will not tolerate a return to more opaque, historically-driven interpretations of power that might bypass the rule of law.

For the people of Ijebuland, the path forward appears clear. With the AIAC reconstituted and its leadership roles filled, the focus is now expected to shift back to the primary task at hand: the peaceful and orderly selection of the next Awujale. The government’s firm stance serves to reassure the public that, despite the internal disagreements among some chiefs, the mechanisms for a smooth transition are robust and functioning.

Conclusion

The reconstitution of the AIAC under the leadership of Alhaji Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya and Chief Chris Okunowo is a significant step toward stabilizing the transition in Ijebuland. By dismissing the claims of the splinter "Adele Oba" group and reasserting the primacy of the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law, the Ogun State Government has moved to preserve the sanctity of the throne and the integrity of the succession process. As the council continues its work, all eyes remain on the forthcoming steps in the selection of the new monarch, with the government emphasizing its commitment to a process that is both transparent and firmly rooted in the rule of law.