Popular fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM 1, faced rejection from the Fusengbuwa ruling house in his attempt to contest for the Awujale of Ijebuland stool. He submitted a letter of intent on December 3, 2025, and a lineage data form claiming ties to the Jadiara royal family unit within the Fusengbuwa house. The ruling house declared him not a member in a letter dated December 11, 2025, rendering his form null and void.
Chairman Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, Deputy Chairman Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, and Vice Chairman Prof Fassy Yusuf signed the rejection. They stated that KWAM 1’s claim to membership lacked foundation. Spokesperson for the Fusengbuwa Nomination Committee, Abiodun Ogidan, confirmed the decision after a family meeting, noting that nomination forms had already closed when he made his bid.
Ogidan told journalists in Abeokuta that KWAM 1 had never joined family meetings or supported the house. “How can someone who has never been part of our family meetings or supported the family in any way suddenly wake up at the height of our family’s glory and begin to say what never happened?” he asked. He accused the musician of trying to rewrite history.
Heads of subunits also disowned him. Otunba Akinola Odedina, Chairman of the Jadiara royal house, said KWAM 1 had no genealogical link and failed to present proof. Alhaji O.B. Yusuf, head of the Bubiade royal family, denied any Anifowose connection. Adesumbo Oduneye clarified that Adetayo Oduneye, who endorsed the form on December 8, 2025, held no authority.
KWAM 1 holds the title Olori-Omoba Akile Ijebu, conferred by the late Awujale Oba Sikiru Adetona in 2023 as a member of the Fidipote ruling house. He insisted on his royal descent from both Fusengbuwa and Fidipote lines. “By blood, heritage, and traceable ancestry, I am a lawful descendant of both royal lines,” he stated.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared the rejection letter on X, noting it from his hometown of Ijebu Ode. The Fusengbuwa house plans to nominate candidates on December 15, 2025, forwarding names to kingmakers for selection and governor approval. As the community awaits the next steps, the dispute underscores the weight of proven lineage in the succession process.
