The 91-year-old ruler has presided over the festival since his 1960 coronation, making Sunday’s absence historically significant.
The 91-year-old Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, was notably absent at Sunday’s Ojude Oba festival, breaking his decades-long tradition of presiding over the cultural event.
The revered monarch, who typically receives homage from thousands of colorfully dressed attendees during the post-Eid-el-Kabir celebration, was represented by his wife Olori Kemi Adetona. While no official reason was given, palace sources attributed the absence to old age. A state government official confirmed: “Nothing was wrong with the health of the paramount ruler.”
The annual festival showcases Ijebu cultural heritage through horse riding, musical displays, and elaborate traditional attire. The Awujale’s unprecedented absence has nonetheless raised concerns among observers about the nonagenarian ruler’s wellbeing.