Legendary Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, widely known as K1 De-Ultimate, has fired back at critics questioning his royal lineage and his ambition to become the next Awujale of Ijebuland. Speaking passionately during a live performance on Sunday, K1 declared that it is his rightful place to contest the vacant stool, invoking the spirit of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for guidance and validation.
The controversy over his lineage began to stir following K1’s public announcement of his candidacy for the revered Awujale throne. In response, the Fuji maestro highlighted his prior royal titles, including Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, which was conferred upon him by the late Oba Adetona. K1 emphasized that these honors were given on merit, and not through any form of purchase, underscoring the legitimacy of his claim.
“I am from the Fidipotemole in Ijebu-Ode and also from the Fusegbunwa lineage. If anyone doubts my royal background, we will meet at Popo,” K1 asserted, referencing a symbolic and historic location near the palace of the Awujale. “Late Kabiesi Awujale, Oba Adetona, was of sound mind when he bestowed upon me the title of Olori Omo-Oba. Awujale is not covetous; I therefore invoke his spirit to reveal the truth.”
The 67-year-old musician has formally expressed his interest in the Awujale stool through a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. In it, K1 meticulously traced his ancestry to the Oba Jadiara lineage, a historic branch of the ruling house that holds exclusive rights to present candidates for the throne. He emphasized that his candidacy strictly adheres to Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.
Despite this, the Fusengbuwa ruling house has directed K1 to officially prove his membership within the family by completing a royal lineage data form. This requirement, which traces genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only bona fide members of the ruling house are eligible to participate in the selection of the next Awujale. The Chairman of the ruling house, Abdulateef Owoyemi, affirmed that the process is designed to prevent outsiders from claiming the throne, preserving the integrity of the traditional succession.
K1’s bid for the Awujale throne is being closely watched across Yorubaland, as the Fuji icon combines cultural influence, national recognition, and political connections into a unique and highly visible candidacy. While critics continue to question his claim, K1 remains steadfast, asserting that his lineage and prior royal recognition make him a legitimate contender for one of the most prestigious traditional leadership positions in Nigeria.