Renowned Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) has petitioned the Ogun State Government over what he described as his unlawful exclusion from the nomination process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

Wasiu Ayinde, whose real name is Wasiu Adewale Olasunkanmi Adesanya, submitted the petition dated January 14, 2026, to the Ogun State Executive Council through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He is challenging the conduct of the nomination meeting convened by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Allegations of Irregularities and Exclusion

In the petition, Adesanya alleged that the nomination exercise was marred by grave procedural irregularities and conducted in clear violation of customary and statutory laws governing chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.

The petition, prepared by his legal team led by Wahab Shittu, SAN, stated that Adesanya is a recognized and eligible member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and a legitimate aspirant to the Awujale stool, which became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

According to the petition, the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government had invited members of the ruling house to a statutory nomination meeting scheduled for January 12, 2026, in line with Ogun State chieftaincy regulations and Ijebu customary law.

However, Adesanya alleged that he and several other eligible family members were prevented from accessing the meeting venue, held at Bisrod Hotel, Ijebu-Ode.

Use of Security Personnel, Delegate Cards Queried

The petition claimed that armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed at the venue to restrict entry, while access was limited to individuals carrying special “delegate” cards allegedly issued by a faction within the ruling house.

“This system of delegates was unilaterally introduced and never agreed upon by our client or other legitimate members of the ruling house,” the petition stated, describing the move as a deliberate act of disenfranchisement.

Adesanya’s lawyers said a list of over 15 princes and princesses allegedly barred from the meeting was attached to the petition, alongside a flash drive containing video evidence of the incident.

Legal Grounds and Reliefs Sought

The petition argued that the nomination exercise violated Section 16(1)(f) of the Obas and Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Law of Ogun State, 2021, which requires that candidates be nominated at a properly constituted meeting of the ruling house.

It also alleged breaches of the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy Declaration and the constitutional right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Citing Supreme Court decisions, including Kotoye v. CBN and Longe v. FBN Plc, the petition argued that any decision reached through a process where affected parties were deliberately excluded is legally invalid.

“The arbitrary exclusion of eligible members from a process as significant as the nomination of an Awujale is repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience,” the petition stated.

Demands to Ogun State Government

Adesanya urged the Ogun State Executive Council to:

• Declare the January 12, 2026 nomination exercise null and void
• Order a fresh, transparent, and inclusive nomination process
• Ensure strict compliance with chieftaincy laws and customary rules
• Prevent further exclusion of eligible members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House

The petition warned that failure to address the grievances promptly would leave Adesanya with no option but to seek judicial redress.