The Baagbimo of Ijebu and Secretary of the Awujale Council of Chiefs, Chief Fassy Yusuf, has clarified that the selection of the next Awujale of Ijebuland will be determined by the kingmakers and the Funsegbuwa ruling house, rather than relying solely on the Ifa oracle.
Chief Yusuf made the clarification during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, which was monitored by our correspondent in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
He disclosed that a new monarch could emerge before the year runs out, provided there are no legal hurdles.
“The last time we had an Obaship process was in 1959–1960, and I don’t know if Ifa was consulted then. Since there are no established parameters for choosing the Awujale, whether the family decides to consult Ifa or leave it entirely to the kingmakers is their prerogative,” Yusuf said.
The Baagbimo further argued that Ijebuland is now a plural society where Christianity, Islam and traditional worship coexist, hence the choice of consultation cannot be restricted to one faith.
“The role of divinity is not entirely abolished, but some practices may no longer be relevant. We now have three groups—Isese, Christianity, and Islam. Why is emphasis only on Isese? If the ruling family feels Ifa should be consulted, that is their decision. But ultimately, it is the kingmakers who will decide,” he added.
Reflecting on history, Yusuf noted that past Awujales, including the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, were not necessarily selected through Ifa divination.
He recounted: “The crown in 1959 was to go to the Anikilaya family. The father of the immediate past Awujale was first in line, but due to his lack of formal education, he yielded the right to his son. Whether Ifa was consulted, I cannot say. Oba Adetona himself was challenged by his siblings but eventually won his case in court.”
