…says interregnum committee imposed candidate on family

…insists only one candidate was presented for seclusion rite

The family head of the Oloja Ejinrin descendants, Chief Adediran Taiwo Fetuga, has disclosed that the family unanimously presented Chief Ayodele Osisanya as the most reliable and rightful candidate for the vacant Jaginrin title of Ijebu-Ode to the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode.

Fetuga insisted that only the Olisa has the legitimate authority to install chiefs before the installation of a new Awujale, alleging that the interregnum committee imposed a candidate on the family.

Fetuga made this declaration during a press conference organised by the Oloja Ejinrin family at their palace in Idele, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Saturday.

According to the Olori Ebi, only one candidate’s name Chief Ayodele Osisanya was submitted to the Olisa Palace at the beginning of the selection process.

“The family was invited to the palace following a letter of protest allegedly written by another individual. Upon our arrival, we met Chief Balogun Adegoke and a few other family members.

“I informed the council that the family had already submitted its nominee and that it was not the council’s responsibility to choose a candidate for us. They agreed with my position. 

"We were then asked to return home and repeat the process. Once again, the next family in line agreed and re-presented the same candidate, Chief Ayodele Osisanya.”

Fetuga further explained that the family later became aware of another letter circulating on social media, purportedly submitted by another candidate to the council. He said the family immediately wrote to the council, requesting that any action on the letter be halted.

“As God would have it, the Olisa Palace later wrote to inform me that Chief Ayodele Osisanya had been appointed as the next Jaginrin.

“The appointment letter was forwarded to the council and the Ogun State Government. We were invited to the palace, where all the required rites were performed, with the remaining rites to be conducted at the family house.

“It was shocking to us that an imposed candidate reportedly performed seclusion outside our ancestral palace. We therefore call on the Ogun State Government to intervene by recognising and accepting the family’s duly nominated candidate,” - Fetuga said.

Speaking further, Chief Ayodele Osisanya emphasised the importance of the Jaginrin title in Ijebu-Ode, noting that it must be filled before the emergence of a new Awujale, as the Jaginrin chief is a forerunner to the Awujale.

Recalling the nomination process, Osisanya stated that the Oloja Ejinrin family is solely entitled to present a candidate for the position.

He explained that a letter was sent from the palace to the Olori Ebi requesting a nomination, which was duly submitted. He stressed further that the family has only one recognised Olori Ebi, Chief Fetuga who has served in that capacity for over 10 years.

“In line with the request, the Olori Ebi submitted my nomination to the palace and the interregnum council. Although my opponent is also a family member, he lost the nomination and later submitted a petition to the interregnum council.

“We were invited to the palace to present our case and were asked to repeat the process, which we did out of respect for the council and the Ogun State Government,” he said.

Osisanya added that during the second nomination process, he was again unanimously presented by the family, expressing shock that the council could later present and accept another person in replacement of the name submitted by the family.

He appealed to the Ogun State Government to direct the council to respect and uphold the family’s nomination, stressing that the family alone has the right to present a candidate through the Olori Ebi.

Addressing journalists on his alleged suspension by the Awujale Palace, Osisanya said he only came across the information on social media and had not been officially notified. He added that there was no basis for such suspension, as the matter remains a purely family affair.

He also dismissed allegations linking him to fraudulent activities, describing them as false and malicious, and insisted that he has no record of involvement in any fraudulent dealings.

Also speaking, one of the family elders, Chief Abayomi Adeola, blamed the interregnum council for the crisis, insisting that it lacks the authority to pick a Jaginrin for the family.

He maintained that no king has the right to choose a Jaginrin, noting that the Jaginrin performs rites for the Kabiyesi before he is pronounced king.