By Peace Udugba
The annual Ojude Oba Festival will hold in 2026 despite the absence of a newly installed Awujale of Ijebuland, according to the Baagbimo of Ijebu and Secretary of the Awujale Council of Chiefs, Fassy Yusuf.
Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme, Prof. Yusuf dismissed speculation that the festival could be suspended due to the transition period following the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona.
He stressed that Ojude Oba is an enduring cultural institution rooted in the identity of the Ijebu people and not dependent on the physical presence of a reigning monarch.
“I confirm to the whole world that the Ojude Oba festival is holding in May, either May 28 or 29, depending on the signals. We are talking about institutions, not individuals,” he said.
According to him, historical records already show that the festival had continued in previous periods when there was no reigning Awujale or when the monarch was absent.
“There were times in the past that a late monarch or revered monarch was not available due to one reason or another, and yet the festival took place,” he said.
Prof. Yusuf criticised calls for the suspension of the festival, describing such arguments as inconsistent with Ijebu tradition and history.
“It is inconceivable that anybody will clamour for the cancellation of Ojude Oba until a new Awujale is installed,” he said.
He described proponents of such views as individuals attempting to create unnecessary tension around a longstanding cultural institution.
“All those talking about cancellation are people that lack self-identity. They are rabble-rousers fishing in troubled waters,” he added.
The Awujale Council secretary maintained that the festival transcends individual reigns and even periods of royal interregnum.
He cited historical precedents, including the 1959 edition of the festival, which held after the death of Oba Robertson Adesanya Gbelegbuwa.
“In 1959, Ojude Oba was held after the demise of Oba Robertson Adesanya Gbelegbuwa,” he recalled.
He also referenced the transition period before the installation of Oba Adetona in 1960.
“His appointment was approved on January 2, 1960, and he was crowned on April 2, 1960. That was about one year that Ojude Oba was held without a king on the throne,” he explained.
Prof. Yusuf further recalled that the festival was also held in 1995 when Oba Adetona was critically ill and receiving medical treatment abroad.
“It was the late Ogbeni-Oja Bayo Okuku that stood in for him, supported by eminent sons and daughters like Subomi Balogun and Chris Okunbadejo,” he said.
According to him, the continuity of the festival demonstrates that the institution itself remains bigger than any individual occupant of the throne.
He explained that an interim structure known as the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council is already in place to oversee traditional responsibilities during the transition.
“We have an Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council. The chairman may not occupy the seat of Awujale, but he is standing in as acting Awujale,” he stated.
Prof. Yusuf urged critics not to exaggerate the current situation, noting that governance and cultural activities cannot be suspended indefinitely because of leadership transitions.
“Nature abhors a vacuum. Somebody has to stand in,” he said.
He also warned that suspending the festival could have damaging consequences for Ijebu cultural heritage.
“That would mark the extinction of Ojude Oba. By the time we want to come back, we may not even be able to start from scratch,” he cautioned.
On the succession process for a new Awujale, Prof. Yusuf said the ruling house had complied with the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law by forwarding the necessary documents to the kingmakers.
“We have complied with the Oba and Chiefs Law. We have forwarded the list to the kingmakers and they have started working,” he said.
However, he noted that the process was temporarily suspended following a directive from the government.
“There was an instruction from the government to suspend action, and in obedience, action has stopped,” he explained, adding that appeals had already been made for the process to continue.
Addressing allegations surrounding the succession process, including claims of coercion and corruption, he said no allegation had been officially proven.
“These remain allegations and speculations. The law says he who alleges must prove,” he said.
Prof. Yusuf also confirmed that he was invited by the Department of State Services for clarification regarding the succession process but stated that he was not under accusation.
“They invited me as vice chairman of the ruling house. I told them I am not an intelligence officer; they are the ones to investigate,” he said.
Speaking on preparations for the 2026 festival, he revealed that new sub-committees had been established to improve logistics, security, communication and traffic management following challenges experienced in previous editions.
“We have no excuse this time around. When we say we are starting at 8:30, we will start,” he said.
He added that all financial transactions related to the festival would remain institutional and transparent.
“No cash is paid to anybody. Everything goes through the palace account under the interregnum administrative council,” he stated.
Prof. Yusuf concluded by reaffirming that Ojude Oba remains a symbol of continuity and identity for the Ijebu people.
“Even without an installed Awujale, Ojude Oba will hold. It is not about individuals; it is about continuity, identity and institution,” he said.
