Awujale graveyard ceremony: Gov Abiodun keeps dignitaries waiting for six hours

Awujale graveyard ceremony: Gov Abiodun keeps dignitaries waiting for six hours

After keeping dignitaries waiting for about six hours on Monday, Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, arrived late at the graveside of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland.

Mr Abiodun, who, by protocol, should have led the federal government delegation and other dignitaries to the burial rite of the monarch, arrived late.

The governor, who had not been on speaking terms with the late monarch until he died, was reportedly at his Iperu residence while the burial procession was going on.

Footage of Mr Dapo at the graveside later went viral on social media, even though he arrived late at the monarch’s burial. Mr Adetona was buried according to Islamic rites.

The Islamic rite for Mr Adetona’s burial started at 12:00 p.m., but the governor showed up at the graveside at 6:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, present at the burial were Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Olatubunkun Talabi.

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Other dignitaries like former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani, and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, were also present.

When contacted by Peoples Gazette, the SSG, Mr Ogun, declined to comment on why the governor was late to the monarch’s burial.

Mr Adetona passed on on Sunday evening at 91.

Born on May 10, 1934, and crowned king of Ijebu Kingdom on April 2, 1960, Mr Adetona reigned for over 65 years, becoming the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria.

He was among the few monarchs who supported NADECO, a pro-democracy group in the mid-1990s, opposing former military dictator Sani Abacha and calling for the validation of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

In his 65-year reign, Ojude Oba, an annual festival that brings all Ijebus together during every Sallah period, became a global event.

Before his demise, Mr Adetona leveraged his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to push for the creation of Ijebu State. The Gazette reported how he met with the president, requesting that Ijebu State be carved out of present-day Ogun State.

Awujale graveyard ceremony: Gov Abiodun keeps dignitaries waiting for six hours