Awujale: Now they’ve brought in a heavy presence of police and soldiers. Who wants to die? - Traditionalists.
According to a report by the Punch on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Ogun State Government has stated its readiness to face legal challenges over the burial of the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who was interred in accordance with Islamic customs. This comes amid strong opposition from traditionalists who claim that established burial rites were ignored.
The controversy emerged following objections by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), which accused the government and the late monarch’s family of violating the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law by bypassing traditional rites. According to the ICIR, Section 55 of the law mandates that kings be buried in line with cultural practices, not personal religious preferences. The council also criticized the sidelining of the Osugbo Confraternity, traditional custodians of such rites.
The burial, held on July 14, a day after the monarch’s passing at the age of 91, has sparked debates over the balance between religious freedom and cultural preservation. The ICIR argued that bypassing Yoruba customs not only disrespects tradition but also endangers the continuity of indigenous practices. They signaled their intent to seek legal redress to challenge what they called an erosion of heritage.
In response, the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN), dismissed the threats as lacking legal merit. He reiterated that the deceased had the right to choose his burial method and described the legal challenge as misguided. He emphasized that the law protects the family’s decision and that government support of the Islamic burial was lawful.
Traditional leaders, including the Olowa Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebu land, voiced deep frustration, accusing the state of undermining the Osugbo’s role and enabling the family to override established customs. They alleged that agreements were made between the government and the late monarch prior to his death, ensuring he would be buried in accordance with his Islamic faith. Security forces were reportedly deployed to prevent disruptions during the burial, which the traditionalists viewed as a deliberate move to suppress dissent.
They said; "Now they’ve brought in a heavy presence of police and soldiers. Who wants to die? So, everyone has stepped back and allowed them to do as they please."
From Opera News
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According to a report by the Punch on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Ogun State Government has stated its readiness to face legal challenges over the burial of the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who was interred in accordance with Islamic customs. This comes amid strong opposition from traditionalists who claim that established burial rites were ignored.
The controversy emerged following objections by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), which accused the government and the late monarch’s family of violating the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law by bypassing traditional rites. According to the ICIR, Section 55 of the law mandates that kings be buried in line with cultural practices, not personal religious preferences. The council also criticized the sidelining of the Osugbo Confraternity, traditional custodians of such rites.
The burial, held on July 14, a day after the monarch’s passing at the age of 91, has sparked debates over the balance between religious freedom and cultural preservation. The ICIR argued that bypassing Yoruba customs not only disrespects tradition but also endangers the continuity of indigenous practices. They signaled their intent to seek legal redress to challenge what they called an erosion of heritage.
In response, the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN), dismissed the threats as lacking legal merit. He reiterated that the deceased had the right to choose his burial method and described the legal challenge as misguided. He emphasized that the law protects the family’s decision and that government support of the Islamic burial was lawful.
Traditional leaders, including the Olowa Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebu land, voiced deep frustration, accusing the state of undermining the Osugbo’s role and enabling the family to override established customs. They alleged that agreements were made between the government and the late monarch prior to his death, ensuring he would be buried in accordance with his Islamic faith. Security forces were reportedly deployed to prevent disruptions during the burial, which the traditionalists viewed as a deliberate move to suppress dissent.
They said; "Now they’ve brought in a heavy presence of police and soldiers. Who wants to die? So, everyone has stepped back and allowed them to do as they please."
From Opera News
Content created and supplied by mySporty . Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform.
Awujale: Now they’ve brought in a heavy presence of police and soldiers. Who wants to die? - Traditionalists.
According to a report by the Punch on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Ogun State Government has stated its readiness to face legal challenges over the burial of the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who was interred in accordance with Islamic customs. This comes amid strong opposition from traditionalists who claim that established burial rites were ignored.
The controversy emerged following objections by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), which accused the government and the late monarch’s family of violating the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law by bypassing traditional rites. According to the ICIR, Section 55 of the law mandates that kings be buried in line with cultural practices, not personal religious preferences. The council also criticized the sidelining of the Osugbo Confraternity, traditional custodians of such rites.
The burial, held on July 14, a day after the monarch’s passing at the age of 91, has sparked debates over the balance between religious freedom and cultural preservation. The ICIR argued that bypassing Yoruba customs not only disrespects tradition but also endangers the continuity of indigenous practices. They signaled their intent to seek legal redress to challenge what they called an erosion of heritage.
In response, the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN), dismissed the threats as lacking legal merit. He reiterated that the deceased had the right to choose his burial method and described the legal challenge as misguided. He emphasized that the law protects the family’s decision and that government support of the Islamic burial was lawful.
Traditional leaders, including the Olowa Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebu land, voiced deep frustration, accusing the state of undermining the Osugbo’s role and enabling the family to override established customs. They alleged that agreements were made between the government and the late monarch prior to his death, ensuring he would be buried in accordance with his Islamic faith. Security forces were reportedly deployed to prevent disruptions during the burial, which the traditionalists viewed as a deliberate move to suppress dissent.
They said; "Now they’ve brought in a heavy presence of police and soldiers. Who wants to die? So, everyone has stepped back and allowed them to do as they please."
From Opera News
Content created and supplied by mySporty . Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform.
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