The monarch reportedly died peacefully on Sunday evening, only hours after the passing of his lifelong friend and Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari. Their nearly five-decade-long friendship was marked by shared political encounters and deep mutual respect.
By Sodiq Oluwaremilekun
Ijebu Ode, Ogun State – July 13, 2025 | KoikiMedia
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, has passed away at the age of 91, bringing an end to a historic reign that spanned more than six decades.
The monarch reportedly died peacefully on Sunday evening, only hours after the passing of his lifelong friend and Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari. Their nearly five-decade-long friendship was marked by shared political encounters and deep mutual respect.
A Legacy Etched in Time
Oba Adetona ascended the throne of his forefathers on April 2, 1960, shortly before Nigeria’s independence, and ruled for an unprecedented 64 years, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.
Throughout his reign, he was widely admired for his wisdom, administrative foresight, and unshakable commitment to the cultural advancement of the Ijebu people. He was also a major voice on national issues and a defender of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
A Friendship Preserved by History
His close relationship with General Muhammadu Buhari began in the early 1980s and became historic during a particularly turbulent political period.
In 1983, then-Ogun State Governor Chief Olabisi Onabanjo had signed an official order deposing the Awujale. The removal was scheduled to take effect on January 2, 1984.
However, fate intervened when Buhari’s military coup on December 31, 1983, abruptly ended the civilian government and nullified the deposition order. Though unintentional, this political shift preserved Oba Adetona’s throne and deepened the bond between the monarch and the then-military ruler.
That moment is remembered as a turning point in the Awujale’s rule and an enduring link to Buhari’s legacy.
Tributes and National Mourning
As news of his death spread, tributes poured in from traditional councils, political leaders, and cultural institutions across Nigeria and the diaspora. Many described him as a monarch of distinction, a bridge between tradition and modernity, and a voice of reason in the national discourse.
KoikiMedia will continue to provide updates on funeral arrangements and tributes from dignitaries in the days ahead.
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