On Monday, soldiers prevented traditionalists believed to be members of the Osugbo cult from taking part in the Muslim burial rites of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
The arrival of the traditionalists at the monarch’s Ijebu Ode residence caused brief tension, prompting people nearby to raise alarm.
Soldiers swiftly moved in to manage the situation and escorted the group out of the premises.
The late monarch was eventually laid to rest at his private residence around 6 p.m. on Monday, following Islamic rites.
The interment was preceded by prayers led by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo. He was buried beside his late father and mother in what appeared to be a family mausoleum.
The presence of the traditionalists is believed to be linked to their opposition to the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, which allows monarchs to be buried according to their personal religious beliefs.
The Osugbo group had opposed this legislation, arguing that royal burials must follow long-established customs. Oba Adetona was reportedly a key figure in the push for this legal reform.
Their visit was seen as an attempt to assert traditional burial rites, but the military blocked any disruption to the funeral proceedings.
Oba Adetona, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, reigned for an unprecedented 65 years, making him one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers.
The solemn burial ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oluwadaisi Elemide; and former governors Segun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel.
Others in attendance were Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group; Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun State Governor; Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West); and Senator Salisu Shuaib (Ogun Central), among other prominent personalities.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun said “The reign of Oba Adetona was not only marked by longevity but by his towering wisdom, deep influence, enduring legacy of generosity, selflessness, progress and uncommon peace.”
The governor said Oba Adetona was not only a pride of Ijebu land but a proud son of Nigeria who devoted his 65 years of reign to serving the people.
The governor said the brilliance of the late royal father was recognised so early when he was appointed as a minister and a member of the Western Region executive council.
He said, “Kabiyesi was a bundle of intellect, he was principled, he was forthright, he was a philosopher, a social engineer, a transparent and incorruptible monarch and equitable judgement with a solid commitment to the Nigerian state.”
Abiodun said he would undoubtedly miss the monarch’s wise counsel and support to his government, even when there was stiff opposition to his ambition in the buildup to the 2019 general election.
He said though the royal father might have taken his bow after a very defining rule that brought so much development to Ijebu land and the country at large, his legacy of selfless service and love for the people would continue to serve as a guide to the generation coming behind.
Dangote hailed the late Awujale for his love for the people, irrespective of which part of the country they came from.
He described the late monarch as a man of influence and a leader who prioritised service to the people, describing his contribution to national development as invaluable and worthy of emulation.
The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Sunny Kuku, speaking to journalists at the event, described Oba Adetona as a truly remarkable monarch who made royalty a source of envy.
Kuku, who will assume the role of regent until the new Awujale is appointed, added “Essentially, our Kabiyesi was a man of integrity, a man who spoke his mind, a man who had so much wisdom.
“He was devoted to education. In terms of poverty reduction, he really used his resources and throne to fight poverty in society and empower the people.
“He was a worthy ambassador of culture. He turned Ojude Oba into a global event and that has really impacted the economic fortune of Ijebu land. He was one man that could be trusted to defend the poor.
“He did not just love the people of Ijebu land, he loved the country and when the nation was in turmoil, he took the right step, he spoke his mind. We are missing him already.”
Similarly, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, hailed the deceased monarch’s rare leadership qualities of pure love and service to humanity.
Adebutu said Nigerians must imbibe Awujale’s qualitative leadership qualities and devotion to engineering socio-economic and sociocultural development which were tailored towards building a better life for the people.
Daniel hailed the forthright leadership of the late Awujale, describing him as a fearless monarch who never shied from speaking truth to power.
Daniel equally stated that one of the best ways to honour the late royal father who reigned for 65 years was to ensure the actualisation of the creation of a new state out of the old Ijebu Province because it was one of the long-cherished dreams of the late monarch.
Daniel said “I think it is common knowledge that in Kabiyesi Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, you have a personality who can speak truth to power at any time and who can be described as fearless, abhors people telling lies and straight forward to a fault.
“Kabiyesi is not anyone who used to be diplomatic. He says it as it is. In the course of that, he garnered some detractors but at the end of the day, people said that he had virtually won all the battles that life threw at him. He was indeed a forthright personality.”
He added that given the strong wish of the royal father to get a new state created out of the old Ijebu Province, all the powers that be must rally to ensure that the dream of a new state became a reality, to immortalise the revered traditional ruler.
“The entire community is good about the creation of the state. The argument has been that of the 24 provinces created in 1924, only Ijebu Province has not been made a state and on that account alone, everyone believes that this error needs to be corrected.
“We know that particularly in a democratic dispensation, it is not that easy to create a state, it involves lots of arguments, lobbying and all that.
“But we feel very strongly that once the course is just, I am hoping that sooner or later, especially now that Kabiyesi is no more, the power that be will seize this opportunity to honour and immortalise him with the state creation,” he said.
Osoba hailed the legendary reign of Oba Adetona, describing him as a monarch with so much wisdom who did his very best to move forward not only in Ijebu land but the whole country.
Osoba said the late Oba Adetona would be sorely missed for his forthright and sincere leadership.
