KINGMAKERS REJECTS ALLEGED DIRECTIVE TO INSTALL ADEMORIN KUYE AS AWUJALE (+VIDEO)

There was tension in Ijebu land in the early hours of Wednesday following a meeting between Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and members of the Council of Afobajes over the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland.

Sources said the Governor summoned the Afobajes to a meeting late Tuesday night, which reportedly extended into the early hours of Wednesday.

During the meeting, Governor Abiodun allegedly informed the traditional council that Hon. Ademorin Kuye was the preferred candidate endorsed by “HQ” and also his personal choice for the revered Awujale stool.

According to accounts from the meeting, the Governor directed the Afobajes to present Kuye as the Awujale of Ijebuland. However, the Council of Afobajes reportedly rejected the directive outright, insisting that the process for selecting an Awujale must strictly follow laid-down traditional procedures.

The Afobajes were said to have told the Governor that if there was any directive from “HQ,” it should be communicated directly to them and not through intermediaries.

Sources further disclosed that the Governor reacted angrily to the rejection, allegedly stating, “No Kuye, no Awujale.”

In a dramatic response, the Afobajes reportedly stood their ground, telling the Governor that they would rather have Ijebu without an Awujale than allow Hon. Kuye to be imposed on them under the guise of intimidation or external influence.“

They told him clearly that they would not accept any imposition, even if it means Ijebu remains without an Awujale,” a source familiar with the meeting said.

The development comes amid heightened tension, as it was also gathered that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had invited members of the Afobajes for questioning on Tuesday.

One of the Afobajes, who spoke after the meeting, confirmed the firm stance of the council, reiterating their commitment to due process and the preservation of Ijebu traditional customs in the selection of the next Awujale.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the matter.