Monarch passed away hours after Buhari, his longtime friend and ally

Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland and one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning traditional rulers, has died at the age of 91.

Palace sources confirmed that the frontline monarch in Ogun State passed away on Sunday, July 13, — just hours after the death of his longtime friend and former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Oba Adetona ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, and reigned for over 64 years, earning nationwide respect for his wisdom, influence, and forthrightness.

His enduring friendship with Buhari dates back to the early 1980s and was forged under remarkable circumstances. In late 1983, then Ogun State Governor Olabisi Onabanjo had signed a formal order to depose the monarch, with the removal scheduled to take effect on January 2, 1984.

However, the military coup led by Buhari on December 31, 1983, toppled the civilian government and nullified the planned deposition. Buhari’s intervention, though indirect, ultimately preserved Oba Adetona’s reign — an event that deepened their personal bond.

The passing of the Awujale marks the end of an era in Nigerian traditional leadership.