An 80-year-old matriarch of the Ijebu royal family, Princess Sidikat Onasanya (née Adebisi), has declared that the next Awujale of Ijebuland should rightfully emerge from either the Olufadi or Tunwase royal families of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Princess Onasanya, the eldest daughter of the late Prince Fasasi Adebisi Adeyemi, popularly known as Obanlefa, made the assertion in a press statement issued on October 22, 2025.
Citing what she described as historical, oral, and gazetted facts, the princess said the Ijebu-Ode royal succession procedure clearly places the Abidagba “Okurin” (male) descendants — represented by the Olufadi and Tunwase families — as the first in line to the throne.
“The Ijebu-Ode royal gazette is clear,” she said. “If no princes worthy of the Awujale stool are available from the Abidagba Okurin lineage of Olufadi or Tunwase, then princes from the Abidagba Obirin lineage may be considered, followed by those from the Abidoye lineages.”
According to her, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House consists of eight family units: Olufadi and Tunwase representing the Abidagba Okurin (male) lineages; Shenowo, Okunyandewo, Adebiyi, and Adeberu representing the Abidagba Obirin (female) lines; and Oshinuga and Adekenu as the Abidoye branches.
Princess Onasanya recounted that Fusengbuwa, who became Awujale in 1790, had eight children from eight wives — two born before he ascended the throne and six after. “The first male child born on the throne was Olufadekemi, known as Olufadi, followed by Ali Adesimbo, later known as Tunwase. These are the first legitimate royal sons of Fusengbuwa,” she explained.
She further noted that her late father, Prince Adebisi Obanlefa, served as Olori Ebi (head) of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House for 25 years (1988–2013) and worked closely with the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, before passing in 2013 at age 96.
Tracing previous Awujale successions, Onasanya recalled that a descendant of Tunwase, Folagbade Adenuga, became Awujale in 1925 but was later dethroned. Her great-grandfather, Oduwole Obanlefa of the Olufadi line, was then nominated in 1929, but the Fidipote family opposed his selection, leading to the appointment of Oba Fibiwoga instead.
“The Tunwase family has had its turn; it is now time for the Olufadi descendants of Obanlefa to be considered,” she stated.
Reaffirming her stance, she said the Ile-Nla compound recognizes that only the Olufadi and Tunwase lineages hold legitimate claims to the stool — unless no surviving male princes remain in their lines.
“From both historical and cultural standpoints, Olufadi, being the first son born on the throne, should take precedence, in line with tradition and the 1959 Chiefs Law,” she added.
Princess Onasanya emphasized that the Fusengbuwa family remains one of the most expansive in Ijebu-Ode, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the town’s royal descendants.
“If things are to be done properly and according to our customs, the next Awujale should come from the Olufadi lineage — as even the late Oba Adetona himself often acknowledged,” she concluded.
