The ambition of Fuji music legend, K1 De Ultimate, to ascend the revered throne of the Awujale of Ijebuland has encountered a significant and controversial hurdle. Fresh claims challenging his origin and royal pedigree have emerged from a Lagos-based community figure, throwing his candidacy into a new phase of public scrutiny.
Balogun Eko's Direct Challenge to K1's Heritage
In a video circulating online, Balogun Eko, who identifies as the Chief Balogun of the Epetedo Area in Lagos, launched a direct attack on the musician's claims. He asserted that K1 is neither originally from Ijebuland nor connected to its royal bloodline. Balogun Eko insisted that the people of Ijebu would never accept a monarch who is not “originally one of them” and emphasized the need to protect the throne from external influence.
He further argued that K1's public persona and history of controversies make him an unsuitable candidate for the peaceful traditional institution. “Ijebu people are peaceful. They don’t want a controversial person sitting on that stool,” he stated. The community leader also alleged that K1's active engagements with politicians and commercial commitments are incompatible with the demands of royalty.
The Ruling House's Strict Verification Mandate
Amidst these allegations, the Fusengbuwa ruling house in Ijebu-Ode has laid down a non-negotiable procedure for all aspirants. According to Abdulateef Owoyemi, the ruling house chairman, merely declaring interest is just the first step. Every contender, including K1, must now complete a detailed royal lineage data form.
This form requires the documentation of at least seven generations of ancestry to establish a verifiable link to the royal family. Owoyemi made it clear that only those who successfully prove their royal roots through this rigorous process will be considered for screening, placing K1's formal declaration under intense examination.
Allegations of Political Maneuvering and Past Tensions
Balogun Eko's allegations extended beyond lineage. He claimed that K1 attempted to involve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his quest for the Awujale stool but was ignored. This alleged attempt, according to him, contributed to the visible tension between the musician and the President during the recent ValueJet incident at the Abuja airport.
The controversy unfolds even as K1 recently reconciled with his estranged drummer, Ayankunle Ayanlowo, ending a public feud where the drummer had accused him of mistreatment. However, this personal reconciliation does little to address the fundamental questions now being raised about his heritage and fitness for one of Nigeria's most prominent traditional stools.
The situation remains fluid, with the traditional verification process by the Fusengbuwa house set to be the ultimate determinant of whether the Fuji star's royal dream can proceed or will be halted at this first major hurdle.
