The Ogun State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned what it described as unwarranted criticisms of the Islamic burial rites conducted for the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by the State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and Secretary, Alhaji Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, MURIC said the objections raised by some traditionalists and religious groups were not only baseless but could incite unnecessary religious tension in the state.
“The Islamic burial of the late Awujale was in full compliance with both legal and constitutional provisions. It is morally, socially, and lawfully justified. This matter has been settled in law and practice,” the group stated.
MURIC pointed to the Ogun State Traditional Rulers (Installation and Burial Rites) Law, 2020, sponsored by Hon. Akeem Balogun, as the legal backing for the Islamic burial. The law allows traditional rulers to be buried according to their personal religious beliefs, a right also protected under Sections 34 and 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The group noted that the late Awujale had publicly professed his Islamic faith and had made clear his wish to be buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
“It is disingenuous to turn this into a controversy. Why now, when Islamic burials for Obas in Ijebuland have taken place peacefully for years?” MURIC questioned.
The statement cited several precedents, including:
Oba Kamoru Sansi (Obelu of Esure) – buried with Islamic rites in 2019
Oba Shafi Sule (Olu of Odosenlu-Alaro) – buried by Ijebu Imams’ forum
Oba Adetona – buried on July 14, 2025, at his private residence per Islamic rites and his personal wish
MURIC accused critics of religious bias, noting that Christian monarchs across Yorubaland have been buried with Christian rites without protest.
Among those cited as examples were:
Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ooni of Ife – buried with a full Anglican service
Oba Michael Olobayo, Obaro of Kabba – given a Catholic burial mass
Oba Festus Makinde, Onigbeti of Igbeti – buried by Christian clergy
Oba Peter Oyekan, former Oba of Lagos – Christian funeral held alongside traditional rites
“Are Muslim monarchs lesser in dignity and rights than their Christian counterparts?” MURIC queried. “This hypocrisy must end. Ogun State must not return to the dark days of religious oppression.”
The group urged the media, traditional institutions, and civil society to avoid politicizing the burial and instead respect the rule of law and the religious convictions of the late monarch.
MURIC also called on security agencies to monitor and check inflammatory remarks capable of disrupting public peace.
“The Awujale lived and died a proud Muslim. It is only proper and just that he was buried in accordance with Islamic tenets,” the group concluded.
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