Awujale of Ijebu, Buhari’s longtime friend, dies at 91

Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, has died at the age of 91.

The monarch passed away on Sunday, just hours after the announcement of the death of Muhammadu Buhari, his longtime friend and former president.

A statement by Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, described the monarch’s passing as a monumental loss not only to Ijebuland but to Nigeria as a whole.

Abiodun described the coincidence as “double sadness”, noting the deep friendship between the two elder statesmen.

“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,” the statement reads.

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.

“Throughout his reign, he was a beacon of unity, cultural preservation, and progressive development. His dedication to the welfare of his people was evident in his efforts to foster educational advancements, healthcare improvements, and economic growth within the state and Nigeria,” Abiodun said.

Adetona ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, and reigned for over 64 years, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Nigerian history.

His friendship with Buhari dated back to the 1980s and was cemented under extraordinary circumstances.

In 1983, just before Buhari’s military coup, Olabisi Onabanjo, then Ogun state governor, had already signed a formal order deposing Adetona. The removal was scheduled to take effect on January 2, 1984.

But the coup of December 31, 1983 — which toppled Nigeria’s civilian government — halted the plan. The close timing of the attempted deposition and the coup became a pivotal moment in the monarch’s life.

Buhari’s intervention, though not targeted at the deposition, inadvertently preserved Adetona’s reign.

In the years that followed, the Awujale and Buhari developed a quiet but enduring friendship built on mutual respect.

Adetona went on to become a towering moral voice within Nigeria’s traditional institution. He was known for his bluntness, refusal to grovel before power, and his insistence that traditional rulers must speak truth to authority.

His leadership helped entrench Ijebuland’s reputation as a beacon of culture, commerce, and political influence.

Abiodun described him as “a beacon of unity and progress”, adding that “his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of his people will forever be etched in our hearts”.