KWAM 1’s Bid for Awujale Throne Hits a Snag

Popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM 1, has suffered a major setback in his reported ambition to ascend the Awujale of Ijebuland throne after the Fusengbuwa ruling house rejected his claim to royal lineage.

Ayinde had submitted a letter of intent dated December 3, alongside a lineage data form, asserting that he belongs to the Jadiara royal family, one of the units under the Fusengbuwa ruling house, whose turn it is to produce the next Awujale. However, the Jadiara family has openly disowned the musician, insisting that he has no genealogical connection to them.

The controversy gained wider attention on Thursday after the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, shared a letter on social media in which the Fusengbuwa ruling house formally rejected Ayinde’s claim. In his post, Onanuga stated that the ruling house in Ijebu Ode had dismissed KWAM 1’s eligibility for the revered stool, a development that appeared to rule out any perceived political influence in the succession process.

In a letter dated December 11, 2025, and addressed to Ayinde, leaders of the Fusengbuwa ruling house declared that their internal investigation found no evidence linking him to the Jadiara royal lineage or to the wider Fusengbuwa family. The letter was jointly signed by the Chairman, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi; the Deputy Chairman, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.

The ruling house further questioned the authenticity of the documents Ayinde submitted, noting that his lineage form was certified by an individual, Adetayo Oduneye, who was described as an unrecognised and unauthorised figure within the Jadiara family. They also pointed out inconsistencies in the dates on the form, declaring it null and void.

Adding to the rejection, the spokesperson of the Fusengbuwa Nomination Committee, Abiodun Ogidan, confirmed that Ayinde was not a member of the family and disclosed that the ruling house had scheduled December 15, 2025, for the nomination of eligible candidates. He explained that nominated names would be forwarded to the kingmakers, who would then select a candidate for submission to the Ogun State governor for approval.

Leaders of other family units under the Fusengbuwa ruling house, including the Jadiara and Bubiade royal families, also distanced themselves from the musician, stating that neither Ayinde nor his father had any known ancestral ties to their lineages. Members of the Oduneye family equally refuted claims that any of their relatives validly endorsed Ayinde’s lineage form.

Despite the widespread rejection, Ayinde has maintained his stance, dismissing claims of ineligibility. In a statement, he asserted that he is a legitimate descendant of both the Fusengbuwa and Fidipote ruling houses, tracing his ancestry to the Adeberu branch of Fusengbuwa and the Anifowose family of Fidipote. He argued that these ties qualify him to seek nomination from either ruling house.

Ayinde currently holds the chieftaincy title of Olori-Omoba Akile Ijebu, conferred on him in 2023 by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. The title recognises him as a prince under the Fidipote ruling house, a fact documented in a letter issued by the late monarch.

As the nomination process draws closer, the unfolding dispute has intensified public attention on the succession of the Awujale stool, with the Fusengbuwa ruling house maintaining a firm stance on lineage authenticity.