The Ogun government has reconstituted the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council and appointed the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Rasheed Adesanya, as chairman and the Bobasuwa, Chris Okunowo, as secretary.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, said in a statement that the council is the only legally recognised body empowered to oversee the administrative and traditional affairs of Ijebuland pending the appointment and coronation of a new Awujale.
Mr Hamzat said, “The Ogun state government has reconstituted the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), appointing Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya (Olisa of Ijebu-Ode) as chairman and Chief Chris Okunowo (Bobasuwa) as secretary.
“The government said the council remains the only legally recognised body empowered to oversee the administrative and traditional affairs of Ijebuland pending the appointment and coronation of a new Awujale.”
Mr Hamzat restated that such actions did not invalidate the AIAC.
The Ogun government stated that the “recently reported ‘Adele Oba Awujale’ group has no legal or customary recognition under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or Ogun State’s chieftaincy laws”.
It pointed out that “a consent judgment of the Ogun State High Court already affirmed the legality and authority of the AIAC, with all council members being parties to the suit”.
The Ogun government urged the public to engage only with the officially recognised council and warned against transactions with individuals claiming authority through alternative bodies.