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By Oscar Okhifo
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State has declared that popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), will only be considered for the Awujale stool if he successfully proves his genealogical link to the royal family, insisting that ancestry, not celebrity status, will determine who emerges as the next paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The Chairman of the ruling house, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, assured that the singer would not be denied justice in the selection process provided he establishes that he is a legitimate member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
Speaking with journalists in Ijebu Ode, Owoyemi explained that KWAM 1 was required to complete and return a royal lineage form, counter-signed by the head of his family unit, as part of the verification process of his claim.
He said the process was straightforward and would be examined by the Council of Elders of the ruling house in line with costoms and traditions.
“I am never, ever going to compromise on what I believe is just and right,” Owoyemi said.
“I met him only once. He told me that Fidipote was a child of the Fusengbuwa family. I was surprised but kept an open mind. Later, he sent a letter expressing interest in the stool before the deadline for intending princes expired.
“I sent him the lineage form which he and the head of his family unit must sign to affirm the truth of his claim. When that is done, I will convene the council of elders to examine and verify it.
“If he is truly from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, nothing will stop him from being considered. If he is not, nobody can do anything about it.”
Owoyemi added that as of the time of the interview, KWAM 1 had not returned the completed form.
“I don’t know his father or mother. It is not my place to assume anything. He must prove it, and that is not difficult. But so far, I have not heard from him,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the princes of the Awujale throne, Om’ọba Salami Agoro-Odunsi, has petitioned the Awujale Council of Kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode, challenging the Fuji star’s claimed eligibility.
The petition was also copied to leaders of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Titled “Urgent Imperative to Safeguard the Sanctity of the Awujale Stool: A Call to Reject Anomalous Declarations and Uphold Genealogical Integrity in the Nomination Process,” the petitioner warned the kingmakers about the risks of allowing a candidate without verified royal ancestry to contest.
Agoro-Odunsi maintained that KWAM 1 had no proven paternal lineage linking him to Oba Jadiara or any branch of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
He claimed the singer was born on March 3, 1957, in Agarawu, Lagos Island, to a father described as a trader from Ijebu-Ode of non-royal origin and a mother from Ilupeju-Ekiti.
The petition stressed that the registered declaration governing the Awujale stool recognizes only four ruling houses and permits only male descendants through the paternal line to be nominated.
It added that maternal lineage confers no eligibility unless no qualified paternal prince exists, a situation described as extremely rare.
The petitioner warned that allowing a candidate without a lawful royal claim to emerge could violate the Chiefs Law, destabilize the rotational system, and throw the process into prolonged litigation.
Reacting to the development, Owoyemi said he respected the concerns raised in the petition but had not yet obtained a copy.
He insisted that tradition and law would guide the entire selection process.
“I acknowledge the importance of protecting the sanctity of the stool. But the process will be transparent, fair, and based strictly on genealogy,” he said.