Osinbajo, Dangote, govs on ground as Awujale is buried

Remains of the Awujale of Ijebuland and paramount ruler of the Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, have been buried at his Igbeba private residence in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Oba Adetona joined his ancestors at the age of 91 on Sunday.

His body was buried according to Islamic rites.

Armed soldiers, police and other security agents had taken over the palace and other strategic locations in Ijebu-Ode to forestall breakdown of law and order.

There were fears of 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 monarch to be buried according to the religion he practised.

Specifically, Section 55 of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021 provides a framework for the preservation and regulation of traditional burial rites for traditional rulers.

While subsection (ii) of the section acknowledges the right of a traditional ruler to be buried in accordance with customary practices, subsections (iii) to (v) establish procedural safeguards for the application of such customs.

However, some traditionalists insisted that monarchs are installed by according to customs and tradition of the land and as such, they have the right to take charge of the monarch’s burial rites.

Other dignitaries at the burial ceremony include the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; former governor Otuna Gbenga Daniel; former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 D Ultimate.