A group of traditionalists, believed to be members of the Osugbo cult, were physically stopped from attending the burial of the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona on Monday, July 14, 2025.
The late Awujale was a Muslim and the funeral rites were being conducted in Islamic traditions.
Yoruba monarchs are usually perceived as the custodians of the indigenous culture and tradition of their people.
As such, traditional worshippers take the centre-stage at the funeral ceremonies of most kings, just as they play key roles in their coronation and ascension to the thrones.
However, the late Awujale who was 87 in 2020, initiated the Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and traditional Council law of Ogun State, which among other things aimed to promote modernity in the coronation and burial of kings.
The bill has provisions against fetish practices in the installation and burial of departed royal fathers against their wishes. It allows late rulers to be buried according to their religious beliefs.
Traditionalists kicked against the bill at the time, arguing that the traditions of the people could not be changed to suit a reigning king.
They asserted that to preserve the culture and tradition of the people, their rulers must be installed and buried according to traditional rites.
In spite of their protestations, the bill was passed by the State House of Assembly, and in January 2021, the governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, signed it into law.
Apparently in a bid to test the efficacy of the law, the members of the Osugbo cult of Ijebu Ode showed up at the burial of Oba Adetona on Monday.
They made their appearance at the residence of the departed monarch when it was already packed full, and they were inching towards the inner court where the rites were ongoing, when some of the people protested their presence.
The soldiers on guard duty promptly stepped in, stopping them from advancing any further.
They subsequently escorted them out of the residence of the late Oba.
The body of the departed monarch was later laid to rest in his private residence in Ijebu Ode private residence around 6 pm.
It would be recalled that the late Awujale died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 years after reigning for 65 years.
The body of the late monarch was buried beside his late father and mother in the family mausoleum.
The Chief Imam of Ijebu land, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo led the prayers for the repose of the soul of the late royal father.
Major markets were shut across Ijebu Ode to mourn the departed monarch.
