Oba Adetona, the sole monarch of Ijebuland, has died at age 91. His demise comes a few hours after the announcement of Buhari, his long time friend’s death on Sunday, July 13.
The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, said in a statement that the monarch’s death was a great loss for both Ijebuland and Nigeria overall.
Abiodun noted the close friendship between the two older statesmen and referred to the coincidence as “double sadness.”
The statement read in part, “Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general,”
Abiodun praised the monarch’s “transformative reign”, which was marked by progressive leadership, the elevation of Ijebuland’s status, and the global prominence of the Ojude Oba festival.
One of the longest-serving traditional leaders in Nigerian history,Oba Adetona took the throne on April 2, 1960, and ruled for more than 64 years.
His connection with Buhari began in the 1980s and was strengthened in a unique situation.
Olabisi Onabanjo, the governor of Ogun State at the time, had previously signed a formal order to remove Oba Adetona in 1983, just before Buhari’s military takeover. The date of the removal was set for January 2, 1984.
Despite not being intended to stop the deposition, Buhari’s intervention unintentionally maintained Oba Adetona’s rule.
In the years that followed, the Awujale and Buhari developed a quiet but enduring friendship built on mutual respect.
Oba Adetona later rose to prominence as a moral leader in Nigeria’s established establishment. He was renowned for being direct, refusing to bow down to authority, and insisting that traditional leaders must confront authority head-on.
His leadership contributed to solidifying Ijebuland’s standing as a cultural, commercial, and political powerhouse.
Following Oba Adetona’s demise, market leaders in Ijebu-Ode have ordered all stores and marketplaces to close today, Monday, June 14, 2025, in remembrance of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale and paramount monarch of Ijebu country.
The move by market leaders and other stakeholders is a sign of respect for the revered king, Mr. Abiodun Adejare, a native of Ijebu Ode and a close ally of Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, told TheGuardian on Monday morning.
He went on to say that the decision was made during a Sunday emergency meeting of the state’s market leaders’ council.
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