Nigeria’s Longest-Reigning Monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Joins Ancestors At 91…His Relationship With Buhari…He Was A Remarkable Royal Father-Gov Abiodun

Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, has joined his ancestors.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State in a statement he issued to announce the monarch’s passing on Sunday noted that Oba Sikiru Adetona has left behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general while adding that he had an ‘illustrious reign’.

 ‘It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland.

Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general.

It is indeed double sadness that Oba Adetona joined his ancestors the same day that former President Muhammadu Buhari died in the United Kingdom.

Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona was a remarkable royal father, who ascended the throne in 1960, marking the beginning of a transformative era for Ijebuland. Throughout his reign, he was a beacon of unity, cultural preservation, and progressive development.

Under his guidance, Ijebuland witnessed remarkable strides in infrastructure and community development, establishing itself as a model of progress in Ogun State.

His leadership not only enhanced the cultural heritage of Ijebuland—with the Ojude Oba festival attaining international standards—but also solidified its reputation as a thriving hub of commerce and tradition.

As we mourn his passing, let us celebrate the extraordinary life of Oba Adetona and honour his contribution to our country. His wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of his people will forever be etched in our hearts.

May his soul rest in peace, and may we continue to uphold the values he instilled in us during his illustrious reign’ the statement added.

The monarch’s  passing came shortly after the news of the death of former president Muhammadu Buhari spread on Sunday, July 13, 2025, what a day!

Nigeria lost two prominent citizens who made history during their lifetime on the same day!

Team@orientactualmags.com had earlier reported that former president Muhammadu Buhari died in London on Sunday after a prolonged illness.

Late General Muhammadu Buhari was the second person to, at different times, serve as military president and civilian president in the country, and the second person to complete his two terms of 8 years since democracy returned to the country in 1999 while Oba Sikiru Adetona was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch.

Ọba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna , who was born on May  10 ,1934, became the Awujale of Ijebuland on April 2, 1960, and he had the privilege of interacting with all the presidents that Nigeria has produced since gaining independence on October 1, 1960.

Oba Adetona was also among the four traditional rulers who were members of the Peace Committee set up by Late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to reconcile late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and late Chief Samuel Akintola in 1962. The three other traditional rulers  were the Olowo of Owo, Olagbegii, Owa of Ilesha, Oba Fanimokun, and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Akinyele.

The deceased monarch was an influential and a highly revered traditional ruler in the country, recall that after becoming the nation’s first citizen, President Bola Tinubu had paid a thank-you visit to him on June 30, 2023, ditto the Alake of Egbaland

In May last year, President Bola Tinubu also bestowed Nigeria’s second highest national honour , the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Oba Sikiru Adetona in recognition of his immeasurable and invaluable contribution to national development.

Oba Sikiru Adetona And Muhammadu Buhari

The late monarch and the former president shared a fate, they have left the planet earth on the same day.

The development recorded on Sunday has brought to mind what happened more than 40 years ago.

The relationship between late Oba Sikiru Adetona and the then Governor Bisi Onabanjo of Ogun State was far from being excellent.

 It was alleged that the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was Onabanjo’s political godfather , had while serving as Federal Minister of Finance under General Yakubu Gowon punished Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola, a prominent Ijebu businessman, by imposing additional excise duty on tyres when Odutola was planning to set up a bicycle tyre and tube factory in Ijebu Ode, and this had sparked accusations that Chief Awolowo, who headed the parent ministry of Nigeria Customs Service , deliberately did this to give Dunlop and Michelin an advantage over Odutola .

The Ijebu people had sought to make a capital out of this during the 1979 general election.

Oba Adetona’s decision to travel to London when Onabanjo had demanded for the purpose of the trip which he had not provided, later worsened relationship between the governor and the monarch.

He was apparently miffed that Onabanjo, an Ijebu man , who was his subject, could be too daring to ask him to state the purpose of his trip and he had sent a letter to the governor that he only wrote to inform him that he would be traveling to London and not to seek his permission.

The governor had however replied the monarch’s letter and told him not to leave Nigeria unless the purpose of the trip is provided as requested and the late Oba Adetona had simply picked up his international passport and left for London.

 On November 23, 1981, the governor announced the decision to suspend the Awujale while the state Government set up a Commission of Enquiry headed by Hon. Justice S. O. Sogbetun to probe the affairs  and activities of the late monarch.

The governor later announced the dethronement of the Awujale , who however took a legal action to challenge his deposition.

Whilst the case was ongoing, intervention came through the coup detat that brought Muhammadu Buhari into power on December 31, 1983 .

Onabanjo not only left the Government House but was also detained by the new military rulers , he was therefore denied the opportunity to direct the course of action and Justice Owolabi Kolawole invalidated Oba Adetona’s deposition on Friday, May 4, 1984.

2015 Presidential Election

The late Oba Sikiru Adetona was one of the top traditional rulers in the country who were covertly in support of late General Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential bid and during the then President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to his palace, he had subtly made it clear that he was not in support of his re-election bid.  

‘In Ijebu here, it is not possible for any Oba, not even only in Ijebu, in Yorubaland, to go out and say vote for this, vote for that; that person is looking for trouble.

But give them the opportunity to present their programmes so that people can make up their minds on what to do. I think this is a very sound democratic principle and that is what I have decided to do, to give you the opportunity to meet with the people’ he had submitted.

The late monarch had an excellent relationship with Buhari during his presidency and he was one of the prominent Nigerians that visited him each time he felt unwell and traveled to London for medical attention.

Oba Adetona and retired General Muhammadu Buhari died on the same day, Sunday, July 13, 2025-Team@orientactualmags.com
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