The Ogun State Government has reconstituted the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, AIAC, declaring that the purported Adele Oba Awujale group has no authorized or customary recognition.
In a press release on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, the federal government stated the reconstitution turned vital following the reported withdrawal of some members of the council earlier established in August 2025.
Hamzat stated the withdrawal didn’t invalidate the AIAC, which stays the one legally recognised physique empowered to handle the executive and conventional affairs of Ijebuland pending the appointment and coronation of a brand new Awujale.
He disclosed that Chief Chris Okunowo and Alhaji Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, had publicly dissociated themselves from the reported mass withdrawal.
Addressing the emergence of the Adele Oba Awujale group, the commissioner stated neither the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration nor the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021 makes provision for such a physique or assigns it any position in managing the stool.
He added that the Chiefs Law of 1957 being relied upon by some former members was a pre-independence laws that not applies to Ogun State, which has operated underneath its personal legal guidelines since 1976.
The authorities cited a consent judgment delivered by the Ogun State High Court in swimsuit quantity HCJ/180/2025 – Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya (Olisa of Ijebu-Ode) vs Executive Council of Ogun State & 16 others as affirming the legality and authority of the AIAC.
It famous that each one members consented to the judgment, which additionally held that the place there’s battle between the obligations of the AIAC and conventional capabilities of the Olisa, the authority of the AIAC takes priority.
The judgment, it stated, has not been appealed and stays binding.
While acknowledging the appropriate of members to withdraw, the federal government warned the general public towards transacting official enterprise with those that withdrew whereas parading themselves as members of an alternate physique.
It additionally urged former members to chorus from actions able to undermining regulation and peace in Ijebuland.
The reconstituted council has Chief Rasheed Adesanya, Olisa of Ijebu-Ode as Chairman, Chief Chris Okunowo, Bobasuwa as Secretary, whereas Prof. Jide Ajayi, Jagun Aso; Chief Stephen O. Bakare, Babalaje; and Chief Alade Shote, Otun Balogun are members.
The authorities stated the council will proceed to discharge its obligations till a brand new Awujale is appointed and topped, reaffirming dedication to the rule of regulation and a peaceable succession course of.
