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The Digest:

The Awujale Kingmakers Council has cancelled a scheduled meet-and-greet and directed all nominees for the Awujale throne to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Ijebu-Ode. The nominees are to present themselves by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The directive was communicated in a formal letter dated January 20 and signed by the council’s secretary, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja. The sudden change has halted traditional proceedings related to the Awujale selection process in Ijebuland, though no specific reasons for the DSS summons were disclosed.

Key Points:
  • The intervention signals potential security or procedural concerns surrounding the traditional selection process for a major Yoruba throne.
  • It reflects increasing scrutiny of royal succession processes by state security agencies to prevent disputes or instability.
  • The summons may delay or influence the eventual selection of the new Awujale of Ijebuland.
  • It underscores the intersection of traditional institutions with contemporary governance and security protocols.
  • The timing follows prior suspensions of the selection process due to petitions, indicating ongoing contention.

Sources: The Punch, Vanguard