Remains of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, were buried in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, amid tight security.
Ijebu-Ode town stood still, as dignitaries and mourners from all walks of life, sons and daughters of Ijebuland, paid the revered monarch last respect.
Armed soldiers, police and other security agents had taken over the palace, his private residence and other strategic locations in Ijebu-Ode to forestall breakdown of law and order.
There were fears of possible clash between the Muslim and traditional worshippers over the burial rites of the monarch who had insisted that he be laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
The controversial burial rites law of Ogun State government allows a dead monarch to be buried according to the religion he practiced.
The provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, specifically section 55, governs the preservation and regulation of traditional burial rites.
Subsection (ii) grants a traditional ruler “the right to be buried in accordance with the customs and traditions of the land”, provided that the body is not subjected to mutilation or cannibalisation.
Subsequent subsections (iii) to (v) establish that the relevant traditional council must determine the nature of the rites, register a declaration of those rites with the commissioner within 21 days, and ensure that registration acts as sufficient proof of compliance.
Sections 55 and 56 of the law explicitly prohibit harmful practices such as mutilation, cannibalism, and human rituals, and criminalise the killing or use of human parts during burial rites or the installation of a monarch in the state.
However, some traditionalists insisted that monarchs are installed according to customs and tradition of the land and as such, they have the right to take charge of the monarch’s burial rites.
Oba Adetona initiated the bill, hence, his burial yesterday appeared sets the tone for the enforcement of the law.
Daily Trust gathered that the security agents were beefed up at different locations especially the burial site to avoid the process being hijacked.
The body of the late Awujale in a motorcade was accompanied by staff of the office of traditional rulers in Ijebuland en route to the Igbeba residential Mosque.
As predicted, traditionalists who came in their numbers were, however, prevented by security operatives from the Nigeria Army, who marched them to the gate.
The soldiers had a tough time controlling crowd during the janazat prayers led by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Miftaudeen Gbadegesin Ayanbadejo.
The federal government delegation to the burial was led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and his counterpart in the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
Others in attendance were the governors of Ogun and Lagos States, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; deputy governor of Ogun State, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Senator Gbenga Daniel; Senator Salis Shuaib and Senator Solomon Adeola.
They also included the First Lady of Ogun, Bamidele Abiodun; former first lady of the State, Funso Amosun; the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olorogun Sunny Kuku; Chairman of Odua Investment, Otunba Abimbola Ashiru; Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, sons and daughters of Ijebuland, among others.
More tributes pour in
Governor Abiodun described Awujale as a great philanthropist, and one who stood by him in his political journey to the Government House.
He described the late Oba Adetona, as a reliable father to his people, and that he would be very pained if the monarch was buried in his absence.
Osoba while speaking with newsmen described the late Awujale as a monarch with sharp faculty, and one who kept his reputation till the very end.
“Baba lived a fulfilled life. He’s respected and loved. His reputation, not only in Ijebu but in Ogun State, remains intact to the end.
“He has a sharp faculty and brain because he spoke with the governor a few hours before he died. Today is a day of celebration for a great monarch.”
Dangote said Awujale was an influential personality in his lifetime, and that he had come to pay his last respect because of his relationship with him.
Daniel also paid tributes to the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland who died at 91.
Speaking with newsmen after signing the condolence register at the private home of the late monarch, Daniel eulogised the life and times of the revered monarch.
The former Ogun State governor, who described the demise of Awujale as painful, said the paternal support of the monarch would be solely missed.
The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria also described his passing as a national loss.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, the body said the late Awujale was not only a revered monarch but also a towering figure in Nigeria’s traditional and sociopolitical landscape.
As a faithful Muslim and friend of the Ummah, the body said the Awujale remained a symbol of dignity and leadership rooted in cultural values and spiritual integrity.
Three major markets in Ijebu-Ode were shut temporarily in honour of the late Awujale.
A statement revealed that the closure was in line with cultural traditions, to allow sons and daughters of the land to mourn the departed monarch.
The affected markets included Ita-Ale; Ita -Osu and Oke -Aje.
Succession battle begins
Daily Trust reports that following the interment of the late Awujale yesterday, search has begun in earnest for the next occupant to the stool.
Sources hinted that quiet search for the worthy successor had begun in 2019 after Oba Adetona highlighted conditions that must be considered for a successor.
During the 2019 edition of Ojude Oba festival held in August that year, Oba Adetona gave Ijebu kingmakers conditions that must be put into consideration while selecting his successor when he finally joins his ancestors.
Oba Adetona said his would-be successor must not be a money bag who would destroy the achievements Ijebuland recorded so far.
The late monarch told Ijebu kingmakers not to replace him with a moneybag.
He asked them to call on God in order to select a capable successor worthy of building on the records of the Ijebuland.
The Awujale also warned that the process of selecting his successor must not be politicised, and asked Ijebu indigenes to reject selection of “incompetent successor.”
Oba Adetona, who gave the stern warning, said “Nobody knows when I will join my ancestors.”
Our correspondent learnt that in coming days, the race for the highly revered Yoruba stool will begin openly.
By the declaration made under Section 4 (2) of the Chief Law 1957 of the Customary Law regulating the selection of the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy, there are four ruling houses. They are – (i) the Gbelegbuwa Ruling House; (ii) the Anikinaiya Ruling House, where Oba Adetona came from; (iii) the Fusengbuwa Ruling House; and (iv) the Fidipote Ruling House.
Findings revealed that process of selecting a new Awujale involves specific steps outlined in the Ijebu traditional laws and customs, and involve the participation of the kingmakers (members of the highest traditional council) and the ruling houses of Ijebu.
According to the general outline of the process, the process begins with the passing of the current Awujale, then consultation with kingmakers who are members of the highest traditional council to initiate the selection process.
The ruling houses of Ijebu are then consulted to determine which house is next in line to produce a candidate, follow by the nomination of a candidate by the next ruling house for the vacant stool.
Then, the kingmakers are expected to carefully consider the nominated candidates, considering their suitability and adherence to traditional norms. The final selection is made by the kingmakers, who then present the chosen candidate to the Ijebu people. The selected candidate undergoes traditional coronation rites and ceremonies to become the new Awujale.
According to the order of rotation in which respective ruling houses are entitled to produce candidates, the ruling house of Fusengbuwa, is heir apparent to the Awujale stool.
Gbelegbuwa ruling house produced late Oba Adetona’s predecessor, while he (Adetona) hailed from the Anikinaiya ruling house. In that order, the Fidipote ruling house is next to the current heir apparent.
Awujale Gbelegbuwa became an Oba recorded in Ijebu history in 1760. Gbelegbuwa was resuscitated in 1933 when Daniel Adesanya Gbelegbuwa II ascended the Awujale throne and reigned between 1933-1959. Oba Adetona from Anikinaiya ruling house replaced in 1960.
Reports say the first record of Funsengbuwa ruling house was between 1790-1891 after the ruling of the first Gbelegbuwa between 1760-1790.
The ruling house has many branches across Ijebu-Ode. It includes the Olukoku royal house at Olode, the Ile NLA at Agunsebi Aboki Tunwase, the Awujale whom the British met after 1885-95 and Adekoga Eleruja also from Tunwase/Funsengbuwa ruling house who became the Awujale in 1916.
Oba Adenuga Folagbade who was crowned in 1925 also hailed from Fusengbuwa Tunwase ruling house. Many princes of Fusegbuwa ruling houses became Oba in other Ijebu settlements along the Epe road.
Findings by our correspondent revealed the founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), late Otunba Subomi Balogun, came from the ruling house and as such, his four sons, Bolaji, Jide, Ladi and Gboyega are eligible to vie for the throne. Ladi is the CEO of FCMB Group.
It was gathered that more prominent princes from the ruling house will throw their hats into the ring when the race is finally thrown open.
However, one prominent personality being tipped for the throne is the fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde, who holds the title of Olori Omoba of Ijebu. He hails from Fidipote ruling house, which according to sources, renders him ‘ineligible’.
