The Baagbimo of Ijebu and Secretary to the Awujale Council of Chiefs, Chief Fassy Yusuf, has clarified that the choice of the next Awujale of Ijebuland rests with the kingmakers and the Funsegbuwa ruling house, not exclusively with the Ifa oracle.
He revealed that the emergence of a new monarch is expected before the year runs out, provided no legal disputes stall the process.
Chief Fassy made this known during an exclusive appearance on Frontline, a current affairs programme aired on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, on Wednesday, the 17th of September, 2025.
Addressing questions on tradition, he pointed out that he was unsure whether Ifa played a role in the last Obaship process of 1959-1960, stressing that customs have shifted significantly over the years.
“The last time we had an Obaship process was in 1959-1960, and I don’t know if Ifa was consulted. Since we have not established parameters or criteria for picking the Awujale, whether the family will consult Ifa or leave it to the kingmakers is up to them.
Before, divinity consultancy was carried out before anyone could leave their house. But now, how many people do that? What we have now does not make any provision for it. Whether they will go behind and do it, I’m not part of the kingmakers, so the question should be directed to them, are you consulting Ifa in your process?”
Fassy added that with Ijebuland now accommodating three strong faiths, Isese, Christianity, and Islam, decisions about spiritual consultation would depend largely on the preferences of the ruling family and the kingmakers.
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“The role of divinity is not entirely abolished, but some practices will be relevant while others may not. Now, we have three groups, the Isese, Christian and the Islamic. Why are you not emphasising the other groups but Isese alone? So, it all depends on the kingmakers and the family, and if the family believes Ifa should be consulted, it is theirs to decide.”
Citing history, he reminded listeners that former Awujales, including the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, were not necessarily selected through Ifa consultation.
“The crown in 1959 was to go to the Anikilaya family and the father of the immediate past Awujale, but he had little or no formal education and was not considered relevant to the community at the time. He yielded it to his son.
Whether Ifa was consulted in that process, I don’t know. Awujale Kayode Sikiru Adetona was not the only son and was even challenged by his siblings, though he won the case in court.”
This comes after the final burial rites of Oba Adetona were almost disrupted when traditionalists were stopped from performing some of the expected rituals at his private residence.