Traditionalists in Ogun State have vowed to challenge the state government over what they termed as “coercive measures” to alter the traditional burial rites of monarchs.

The traditionalists expressed opposition to the Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, which stipulates that monarchs can be buried in accordance with their religious beliefs.

To preserve what they called the age-long customs, the traditionalists insisted that royal fathers must be interred following “established tradition.”

Their grievances deepened on Monday after they were denied access to perform rites at the funeral of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The traditionalists, believed to be members of the Osugbo cult, were barred from the burial as soldiers escorted them away from the monarch’s Ijebu Ode residence.

Meanwhile, onlookers expresses their concerns over the presence and rejection of the cult group. The monarch’s remains were later interred around 6pm in his private residence, following Islamic rites.

In interview with Saturday PUNCH, the Coordinator of the Traditional Worshippers Association of Ogun State, Chief Ifasola Opeodu, said the government crossed the line by deploying security forces to prevent the performance of traditional rites.

“Deploying police, army, and other security agencies against the traditionalists is against the law,” he said.

Traditionalists accused government of overstepping

He accused the state of overstepping its bounds, stressing that while the group is not opposed to the law, the aggressive tactics used are unacceptable.

“We are okay with the Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021, that is why we are not fighting them. But now that they are devising a series of coercive measures against the traditionalists, then we too have to find a legal way to go against it,” he stated.

Opeodu, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of Osugbo Remo Parapo and the Oluwo of Iperu, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s hometown, argued that the law was being misrepresented by the state.

“Initially, when the law was made, the traditional rulers were jubilating that they have the right to be buried according to their religion, which is not in the law. Where was it written in the law that an Oba has the right to choose the religion that will bury him?” he queried.

He said the current developments are an assault on democratic values and the rule of law.

“We are just watching the way things are unfolding; we know with time things will take shape, but what is happening now is a very big slap on democracy and the rule of law,” he added.

Osugbo condemning burial process

On the burial of the Awujale, Opeodu said the process was improper.

“That is not the way to bury a traditional ruler. The Alaperu of Iperuland (Oba Adeleke Basibo) and the Alaye of Odogbolu (Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa) were not buried that way; in their cases, it was the communities that took possession of the monarchs’ corpses.”

He blamed the Osugbos for failing in their duties, saying, “They failed in their responsibilities and allowed the Islamic clerics to take over the burial.”

The traditionalist maintained that only the judiciary is empowered to interpret laws and warned that the ongoing misinterpretation of royal burial procedures is generating tension and embarrassment.